Uttarakhand- Devbhoomi, the land of gods. Uttarakhand is also a border state. In all the border states, right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Kutch to Kamroop, we can see the problematic nature of border states. These problems don’t exist on their own, rather they have been created and it is imperative to understand the reasons behind them.
A lot of migration is taking place in the border state of Uttarakhand which, in turn, is creating a vacuum. We need to take care that this vacuum is filled only by Indians or those who have an immense passion for India, not by those people who want to damage our security. We have seen the pitiable condition of Kashmir, Punjab, borders of UP and Bihar, North East, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep. Uttarakhand shouldn’t face the same consequences so we need to really work hard here.
Uttarakhand requires excessive work on education; I have been travelling the remote areas of Uttarakhand for a long! The children here have a great passion for receiving education. Most of them come from an army background so their thoughts are completely different from others. However, they are not aware of national integration exposure. NCERT, CERT and many other institutions are working here. We too, through Paavan Chintan Dhara Ashram, are working here.
Those who reside in the border areas are not ordinary people. They are half soldiers even though they are civilians. I also consider myself a native of Uttarakhand as I have spent 26 years of my life here. This is my hometown. Uttarakhand may not be my body’s home but it definitely is my soul’s home. I started my spiritual journey from here. In 1981, when I was a very small child, I ran away from home and began my spiritual journey from Uttarakhand. My journey still continues. If I am able to do anything for this place, I will consider myself fortunate. I am working on education. About 1600+ children are being educated in 21 centres through our ashram. This isn’t formal education. It’s informal education and that education which makes a person humane and that too a valiant one and most importantly it inculcates Indianness to the brim in that child. I heartily thank all of you and salute again with “Jai Hind.”