Uttarakhand MP Leads Holi Celebration in Deserted Village to Combat Migration Crisis
In a vivid effort to breathe life back into Uttarakhand's depopulated settlements, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni recently joined current and former residents of Dhoor village for a vibrant Holi celebration. This initiative is part of his broader campaign to reverse the exodus of locals from the hill state, where hundreds of villages now stand nearly empty.
Reviving Ghost Villages Through Festive Spirit
During his constituency visit, Baluni played Holi with the handful of families still residing in Dhoor, alongside many former residents who returned briefly from distant cities for the festival. The splash of colors and bursts of laughter temporarily transformed the almost deserted village, evoking memories of a bygone era before mass relocation for livelihood opportunities.
"Since childhood, I have witnessed villages being abandoned as people sought better lives in cities. Today, many are termed ghost villages," Baluni stated. "However, with enhanced roads, electricity, water, and other facilities now available, it is time to return to our roots where our heritage truly flourishes."
Campaign to Repopulate and Preserve Heritage
Baluni, who served as a Rajya Sabha member before being elected to the Lok Sabha in 2024, has been spearheading a movement to revive traditional festivals—a call endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi—and encourage former residents to return to their native villages. This aims to rejuvenate the old way of life in remote, hilly areas that have suffered stagnation due to outmigration.
He described these hamlets, once vibrant with laughter and livestock, as now lying abandoned across Uttarakhand. Their terraced fields are overrun with wild weeds, and houses are locked and crumbling. Migration has severely impacted the region, Baluni emphasized, noting that Pauri district previously had eight Assembly constituencies, which has reduced to six and could decline further after the next delineation.
Strategic Initiatives and Broader Implications
As part of his repopulation efforts, Baluni frequently visits such villages and has launched the "Apna Vote Apne Gaon" campaign. This initiative urges people to register as voters in their native villages, reinforcing ties to their ancestral homes. The Holi event in Dhoor served as a symbolic gesture to highlight the potential for revival, with improved infrastructure making return more feasible.
Several districts in Uttarakhand face similar crises, with migration draining communities of their youth and vitality. Baluni's actions underscore a growing push to address rural depopulation through cultural engagement and policy incentives, aiming to restore these areas to their former vibrancy.
