Dehradun: A three-day visit to Uttarakhand gave a group of young people from Haryana an opportunity to experience the state’s development initiatives, tourism infrastructure and local communities first-hand. On Saturday, the group met Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his residence in Dehradun and shared their observations from the visit.
The Haryana youth spoke about the changes they had seen in areas including road and digital connectivity, tourism, homestays, solar energy, border-area development and welfare schemes. Their interaction with the Chief Minister also focused on how inter-state youth exchanges can help people understand development practices and cultural diversity across different parts of India.
Connectivity and Tourism Draw Attention
During the three-day visit, the youth travelled through different parts of Uttarakhand and observed development work as well as the impact of government schemes on local communities.
They particularly noted the expansion of road and digital connectivity despite the state’s predominantly mountainous geography. They also referred to the ongoing expansion of the railway network.
For a state where terrain can make infrastructure development challenging, connectivity is closely linked with access to tourism destinations, markets and public services. The visitors said they could see the importance of these improvements during their journey.
Tourism infrastructure also emerged as an important part of their observations. According to the visitors, facilities being developed for pilgrimage and tourism are becoming more visible, while improved connectivity is helping visitors reach different parts of the state.
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Homestays Creating Local Opportunities
The Haryana youth also highlighted Uttarakhand’s homestay sector.
They said government support for homestays is creating new opportunities for local residents to earn through tourism. Rather than depending only on large hotels and established tourist centres, homestays can allow visitors to stay closer to local communities and experience regional lifestyles.
The visitors also appreciated the state’s clean surroundings and air quality. They said Uttarakhand’s quieter environment and interactions with local residents added to their experience.
The group said the warmth and cooperation they received from people during their travels helped them understand the cultural identity associated with Uttarakhand.
Focus on Border Areas and Solar Energy
Development in border areas was another aspect discussed during the meeting.
The visitors noted efforts by the Centre and state government to improve infrastructure and facilities for people living in these regions. Border-area development remains important not only from an infrastructure perspective but also for improving access to essential services and supporting local communities.
The youth also described rooftop solar initiatives as relevant to Uttarakhand’s geographical conditions. Renewable energy can provide households with an additional source of power while supporting the wider transition towards cleaner energy.
CM Dhami Highlights Importance of Youth Exchanges
Welcoming the Haryana delegation, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said the tradition of “Atithi Devo Bhava” is an important part of Uttarakhand’s cultural identity.
He said inter-state visits give young people an opportunity to understand India’s cultural diversity and learn about innovations and development practices in different states. Such exchanges can also facilitate the sharing of ideas and experiences between states.
Dhami said the state government is working to ensure that the benefits of development reach people at the last mile. He referred to welfare initiatives for women, youth, farmers, economically weaker sections and other sections of society.
Around 35,000 Government Appointments, Dhami Says
During the interaction, Dhami also highlighted employment and recruitment initiatives.
According to the Chief Minister, steps have been taken to connect young people with employment and self-employment opportunities while making government recruitment processes more transparent. He said that around 35,000 young people have received appointments in government services over the past five years. This is a statement attributed to the Chief Minister rather than an independently verified employment figure.
He also said Uttarakhand is pursuing development alongside its cultural and natural heritage, with attention to areas such as women’s empowerment, local products, tourism, homestays, solar energy and development in border regions.
Youth Asked to Become Digital Brand Ambassadors
One of the key messages from the meeting was the role young visitors can play in sharing Uttarakhand’s development and tourism story.
Dhami urged the Haryana youth to share what they had seen and experienced during their three-day visit with friends and wider audiences through social media. He described them as “digital brand ambassadors” for Uttarakhand.
He also highlighted areas such as the state’s culture, pilgrimage and tourism destinations, local products, homestays, millets, handicrafts and the work of women’s self-help groups as subjects that young people could introduce to audiences in other parts of the country.
Building a Bridge Between Haryana and Uttarakhand
The interaction was not limited to tourism. It also reflected the wider role of youth exchanges in creating connections between states.
For the visiting youth, the Uttarakhand tour provided an opportunity to observe development initiatives beyond their home state. For Uttarakhand, such visits offer a platform for visitors to experience local tourism, communities and government-supported initiatives directly.
The exchange can therefore contribute to greater awareness of Uttarakhand’s tourism and local economic opportunities while encouraging young people from different states to learn from one another.
As Uttarakhand continues to balance infrastructure development with its mountain environment, cultural heritage and local livelihoods, greater attention to connectivity, homestays, renewable energy, tourism and border-area development could remain important to its broader development journey.
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