Over 2.5 lakh students submit ideas for Uttarakhand’s future under state campaign

More than 2.5 lakh students across Uttarakhand have submitted essays and suggestions under the state government's ‘Mere Sapno Ka Uttarakhand’ campaign, sharing their ideas on how they want the state to develop in the coming years.

The initiative, launched on the call of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, seeks to involve students of Classes 11 and 12 in discussions around the future of Uttarakhand. The campaign has received participation from students studying in both government and private schools across the state's hill and plain regions.

Dhami had interacted online with nearly three lakh Class 11 and 12 students across Uttarakhand on August 10. During the interaction, he asked students to describe the Uttarakhand they would like to see in the coming years and encouraged them to put forward practical ideas and suggestions.

Students focus on eight areas

Students participating in the campaign have shared their views across eight key themes. These include tourism, employment, social development, forests and environment, education, healthcare and technology.

The government said the submissions are intended to capture the aspirations of the state's younger generation and their understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Uttarakhand.

The entries are being viewed as an opportunity to bring students into a wider discussion around development rather than limiting their participation to classroom activities. The initiative also aims to encourage young people to think about issues affecting their communities and the state as a whole.

Dhami has said the useful and practical suggestions submitted by students will be personally reviewed. The government will also examine the possibility of incorporating relevant ideas into policies and future development plans.

140 students to get opportunity to present ideas

As part of the campaign, 140 of the best ideas will be shortlisted. The selected students will have an opportunity to discuss their proposals with senior government officers and secretaries.

Dhami will also interact directly with the shortlisted students to hear their views and understand their vision for Uttarakhand.

The campaign includes additional support for selected students, including assistance related to career development and preparation for competitive examinations. Other awards will also be provided to the students selected through the process.

Students submitting essays through the campaign portal are being issued digital certificates. This is aimed at recognising participation beyond the final selection of the best entries.

Participation across hill and plain districts

The campaign has seen participation from students in different parts of Uttarakhand, with entries coming from both government and private schools. The broad participation is expected to provide the government with a diverse set of views from students living in different geographical and social settings.

Campaign coordinator Dr Rahul Agrawal said the initiative was designed to connect the younger generation with the state's development process and encourage them to contribute ideas on policy and governance.

He said entries were continuing to come in from across the state. August 24 has been set as the last date for students to submit their essays.

Government seeks greater youth participation

Dhami is regularly reviewing the progress of the campaign. The state government has said it wants young people to participate more actively in the development process and not remain limited to being beneficiaries of government schemes.

The initiative is intended to provide students with a platform to articulate their expectations on employment, education, healthcare, tourism, environmental protection and technology, among other areas.

Dhami said students are not only the future of Uttarakhand but also have the ability to influence the state's development today through their ideas. He said practical suggestions received through the campaign would be given space in the state's development efforts.

The government has positioned the campaign as an attempt to build a dialogue between the younger generation and policymakers, with the selected ideas expected to provide inputs into the broader vision of a developed Uttarakhand.