An out of the box thinking is needed to address the menace of distress migration from the mountainous parts of Uttarakhand, said Shaurya Doval, co founder of India Foundation who is also son of Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor, while interacting with the media persons here on Monday.
He said that instead of talking about migration, the problem should be addressed in terms of reverse migration. By prompting the people to start small businesses in the rural areas by which income of villagers is augmented, the reverse migration can be triggered, he added.
Giving example of ‘all -weather road’ mega project, he said that it is for the State and people to take advantage of a vast support system provided by the project. Introducing his social campaigns, ‘ Buland Uttarakhand and ‘Bemisal Garhwal’, the Doval Junior said that it is his belief that everything the people here do should be of the world class and exponentially better than the present.
He, further, said that ‘Buland Uttarakhand’ is an endeavour to enhance the prestige, tap the potential and develop the region. Doval said that it is part of the modest attempt by him to involve the people of the State through self-help and specific positive actions. “It will be help in enhancing the quality of their lives and that of their communities,” he said.
He said that the drive ‘Bemisaal Garhwal’ has been introduced under ‘Buland Uttarakhand’ vision which will focus on the overall development of Garhwal which includes agriculture, education, new employment opportunities, health, tourism, Garhwali culture, sports, child welfare and many other areas. “I feel strongly for my State and would like it to flourish. Since I cannot bring about a change all at once I thought I should start from Garhwal. It is the place I was born in as I belong to Ghiri, Pauri Garhwal and so I thought it will be an appropriate starting point,” he said.
Doval said that under ‘Bemisaal Garhwal’ so far, activities like career counselling for students, mobile clinics for villagers and women, in particular, skill development for farmers and mushroom farming have started.
The CEO of ‘Dharma life’, Gaurav Mehta was also present on the occasion. His organisation helps the women become entrepreneurs. Mehta said that Dharma life has taken a target to provide skill training to 23000 rural women of Uttarakhand so that they start their own ventures.
“In addition to education, health and digital literacy in villages, the foundation will work towards empowering women through entrepreneurship. Through its intervention, Dharma life Foundation is helping establish a new and sustainable entrepreneur model in Uttarakhand,’’ he said.
Senior BJP leader Ajendra Ajay was also present on the occasion.