Uttarakhand

Despite many difficulties, Makar SIngh struggles and hopes for a better life for his family and his community in the Himalayas as he sees the younger generation opting for different career opportunities, a higher literacy rate and better road connectivity.

Kalap is a tiny hamlet in the upper Garhwal Himayalas along the valley of River Supin close to the popular trekking destinations of Har-Ki-Doon and Kedarkantha. Untouched and unexplored, it offers a memorable escapade complete with subtle views of the Himalayas and a taste of the local culture and traditions. As spring arrives after a chilly winter the moods of the village are a treat to behold scripting a true Himalayan experience.

On June 16, 2013, one of the worst cloud bursts struck the state of Uttarakhand. Millions were rendered homeless and many lost their lives. It’s been almost a year now and yet the process of rehabilitation and relocation of many is a question mark. Amidst this, here is an inspiring story of a young brave heart from Bankoli village in Uttarkashi district, one of the worst affected districts during the floods.

Care Vectors provided medical relief during the Uttarakhand Landslide at a time when there was no relief in sight for the victims. We present an interview with Dr. Varun, a co-founder of Care Vectors. He shares how they started this organization and talks about the amazing impact they have achieved so far.

Soon after the massive 2013 Disaster in Uttarakhand, a group of volunteer doctors from Chennai came together, planned, and successfully conducted a week long Medical Camp for the disaster affected people at a remote Bhatwari village in Uttarkashi Distt. The incredible story of relief work and cooperation by the Good Samaritans as narrated in TBI Uttarakhand Diaries won over many hearts from across the world. Buoyed by the encouragements, they went on to perform few commendable follow up actions too. We revisit them almost six months later to catch a glimpse of what they have been up to.

Read how a small village in Uttarakhand stands testimony to the fact that rooftop rainwater harvesting is a reliable, economical and logical way of ensuring self-sufficiency and dignity.

It has been three months since disaster struck Uttarakhand in June 2013, and the situation is still alarming. However, in Uttarakashi district where there has been widespread property destruction and loss of livelihood, the situation is worse, with not enough food supplies and no doctors to examine the sick. For a population of almost 3.5 lakh people in Uttarkashi, there is not one single woman doctor. The Mountaineering community is still reaching relief supplies such as medicines and food to the far-flung villages on foot as road connectivity is lost. Given this scenario, we here present two initiatives working towards rebuilding the lives of the locals.

TBI writer Anusha Subramanian is currently in Uttarakhand, participating in the relief operations and assisting the locals in rebuilding their lives. She reports from the scene of the devastating floods on the current situation in the affected areas, on the aid provided by the administration, and the stupendous work being carried out by trekkers, mountaineers, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), army personnel and NGOs.

Read about the efforts of a unique financial inclusion programme that aims at empowering women in the the rural parts of the hilly state of Uttaranchal where employment opportunities are scarce, infrastructure is patchy and banks are practically virtually non-existent.