Uttarakhand CM Dhami inaugurates Deeksharambh Session and new infrastructure at Doon University
Dehradun, August 13
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday inaugurated the Deeksharambh Session 2026-27 and Youth Dialogue Programme at Doon University.
Welcoming the new students joining the university, he extended his best wishes for their bright future. The Chief Minister said university life is not limited to classrooms and examinations; it is an important phase for personality development, nurturing new ideas and determining the direction of one's life.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Biological Sciences Laboratory building constructed for Rs 11.20 crore and the Central Library building built for Rs 17.39 crore at Doon University.
He also launched the Doon University Community Radio Station 88.4 FM. He said these institutional facilities would give a new impetus to the university's academic and research activities while also playing an important role in the overall personality development of students.
The Chief Minister announced that the Central Library of Doon University would be named after Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar. He also announced that two posts of Programme Coordinator and Technical Assistant would be created for the successful operation of Doon University Community Radio Station 88.4 FM. Two electric buses would be provided for Doon University students.
He further announced that the foreign language departments at Doon University would be strengthened so that they could provide skill-based education to students studying in other educational institutions across the state and help create employment opportunities for the youth. Appropriate posts would be created for the Spanish, German, French, Chinese and Japanese language departments.
The Chief Minister said the greatest strength of any nation is its youth. A country whose young people dare to dream, have the determination to achieve their goals and the ability to work hard cannot be stopped from progressing. India's vast young population is the strongest foundation of a developed India.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, Startup India and Skill India are creating new opportunities for young people. Today, the youth are not only seeking jobs but are also moving towards entrepreneurship and generating employment for others.
He said the present era is one of innovation. The state government is continuously working to make the education system modern, quality-oriented and aligned with future requirements. In accordance with the National Education Policy, modern subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Big Data are being promoted in universities and research institutions. Projects such as Science City and Astro Park are also being undertaken in the state to encourage scientific research.
The Chief Minister said that along with strengthening higher education infrastructure, the state government is giving special emphasis to the quality of education and research. New colleges and model colleges are being established, while facilities such as women's hostels, IT labs and examination buildings are being expanded.
Efforts are also being made to address the shortage of teachers through fresh recruitment. Under the Chief Minister's Research Promotion Scheme, grants of up to Rs 18 lakh are being provided to faculty members to promote research and encourage outstanding research work.
He said the government was also providing necessary support to young people preparing for competitive examinations. Candidates who clear the written examinations for UPSC, NDA and CDS are being provided assistance of up to Rs 50,000 for interview preparation.
He said the government's priority is to establish a transparent system in which the hard work of young people is not compromised in any manner. One of the country's strictest anti-copying laws has been implemented in the state to ensure transparency in recruitment examinations. As a result of this transparent system, more than 34,000 young people have been appointed to government services over the past five years.
The Chief Minister said the government's vision for youth development is not limited to government jobs. Efforts are being made to make young people self-reliant through various schemes, including the Chief Minister's Self-Employment Scheme.
By promoting homestays, organic farming, tourism and local enterprises, employment and self-employment opportunities are being created for young people at the local level so that they do not have to leave their native places and families in search of jobs. He said the government is committed to ensuring that both the youth and the water resources of Uttarakhand serve the interests of the state.
The Chief Minister urged the youth to make the most of the opportunities available at the university, recognise their capabilities, move forward with new ideas and contribute to nation-building.
Referring to the message of Swami Vivekananda, he called upon the students to continue striving until they achieve their goals. He said the role of the youth is extremely important in the resolve to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Naming the library after Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is a wonderful tribute! He believed in education as the great equalizer. Also happy to hear about the language departments being strengthened - China, Japan, Germany are major economies and knowing these languages will open many doors for our youth. 👏
The electric buses for students is a great initiative! Dehradun's pollution is increasing day by day, and promoting eco-friendly transport is the need of the hour. But I hope they actually implement it properly - many such announcements remain on paper only. Let's see how it goes.
As someone who studied in a state university, I appreciate the emphasis on skill-based education and languages. However, I hope the government also addresses the issue of student-teacher ratio and research funding. Rs 18 lakh for research is good, but many universities struggle to even get basic infrastructure maintained properly.
Finally something positive happening in Uttarakhand's education sector! The anti-copying law is a bold step - many students who work hard get cheated by those who use unfair means. Transparent exams will ensure deserving candidates get jobs. Proud of this initiative! 🇮🇳
Good to see investment in community radio - it can be a powerful tool for local voices and grassroots information. But I wish the state government would also focus on skill development for the rural youth who don't have access to universities. Not everyone can come to Dehradun for education.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.