By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The prestigious Doon University’s Dr. Ambedkar Chair has launched a new initiative to bring practical skills and strategic mentorship directly to isolated mountain communities in Uttarakhand.
By taking hands-on training and career workshops deep into remote Uttarkashi district, the initiative actively empowers marginalized students in high-altitude settlements—ensuring geography no longer limits their ambition.
The drive was initiated with two programmes in two colleges in Purloa in the district – one at Barfiya Lal Juwantha Government Post Graduate College and another at Atal Utkrisht Government Inter College.
Tailored for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) students, the programs delivered targeted academic guidance, personality development, career counselling, and confidence-building tools to prepare them for future opportunities.
Extending institutional support, Doon University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Surekha Dangwal hailed the Dr. Ambedkar Chair team for their impactful outreach in Uttarkashi. She emphasized that reaching isolated mountain communities reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to constitutional values of social justice and ensuring quality education reaches the student last in line.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Harsh Dobhal highlighted the enduring vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, detailing his principles and cornerstone contribution to nation-building. Notably, with almost 95% of participating students belonging to SC, ST, and OBC communities, Dr. Ambedkar Chair Professor Dobhal emphasized that education remains the most potent instrument for socio-economic transformation among rural mountain youth. He added that reaching remote institutions ensures constitutional guarantees of equal opportunity and social justice actively reach those last in line, fostering critical thinking to overcome historical regional and social divides.
To translate these ideals into personal success, Prof. Dobhal offered actionable advice on personal growth, urging students to view confidence and articulate communication as essential tools for self-reliance. He advised them to build a strong personality by cultivating daily reading habits, engaging in active public speaking, and honing persuasive expression in both regional and national languages. By mastering clear communication, overcoming hesitation, and projecting self-assurance, he noted, youth from the Himalayan hinterland can effectively present their ideas and claim their rightful space in higher education and professional spheres.
Extending the discussion into economic self-reliance, Prof. R.P. Mamgain, Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Doon University, emphasized the vital role of local economic development in reversing youth migration and building resilient mountain communities. He urged young individuals to look beyond traditional employment paths, identify untapped regional possibilities, and leverage targeted skill training to turn local challenges into sustainable livelihoods.
Focusing on the unique strengths of the region, Prof. Mamgain highlighted how high-altitude ecosystems can drive local job creation through eco-tourism, organic agriculture, value-added processing of non-timber forest produce, and traditional crafts. By combining modern capacity building with responsible management of Uttarakhand’s native resources, he encouraged the youth to establish community-driven enterprises that generate local employment while preserving fragile Himalayan ecology.
Addressing the critical psychological dimensions of student growth, Dr. Rajesh Bhatt, Head of the Department of Psychology, offered practical strategies for navigating academic pressure. He guided students on managing examination stress through structured study routines, mindfulness techniques, and effective coping mechanisms. Emphasizing mental well-being alongside academic preparation, he urged students to view exams not as overwhelming hurdles, but as manageable milestones in their learning journey.
Building on stress management, Dr. Bhatt stressed the importance of cultivating a resilient and positive mindset for long-term career growth. He encouraged youth from remote mountain regions to build emotional strength, reframe setbacks as learning opportunities, and maintain strong self-belief when confronting competitive challenges.
Highlighting the ground realities of mountain education, College Principal Prof. A.K. Tiwari underscored the distinct socio-geographical challenges faced by students in these remote areas. He pointed out that geographical isolation, limited digital exposure, harsh climate, and lack of specialized mentorship often hinder youth from reaching their full potential, emphasizing that targeted workshops by visiting academic experts bridge this critical gap for rural mountain students.
Expanding the outreach to school-level youth, a dedicated workshop titled “UDAAN: Personality Development, Soft Skills and Career Path for Marginalised Youth” was organized at Atal Utkrisht Government Inter College, Purola. Opening the session, Chatar Singh Chauhan welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of early exposure to career guidance for school students, while Shri Ravindra Singh Rana, who moderated the program, summarized the key takeaways and delivered the vote of thanks, stating that practical soft skills and structured mentorship will pave the way for rural school graduates to navigate higher education and competitive career paths with confidence.
Summarizing the proceedings at the college level, Rajesh Lal Arya expressed sincere gratitude to the resource persons and participating students, noting that such targeted interventions successfully bridge the awareness gap for rural Himalayan youth. He highlighted that the enthusiastic participation of students reflected a strong desire for guidance, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to hosting more collaborative academic and skill-building initiatives in the future.
Established under the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India), the Dr. Ambedkar Chair at Doon University serves as a premier center for research, education, and community outreach. Dedicated to social inclusion and the empowerment of weaker sections—including SC/ST communities, OBCs, and women in Uttarakhand—the Chair translates Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision into field-level action. It advances this mandate across the Himalayan region through empirical studies on socio-economic stratification, capacity-building workshops, career mentorship, and advocacy for human rights and social justice.
