Tehri, The youth of Uttarakhand are returning to their roots, with dreams of a brighter, better future amidst their home in the mountains. Today, we share the story of Monika Panwar, an ex-employee of a multinational company from Chamba, District Tehri. A young promising girl with all that she could ask for. But something, somewhere, were amiss. That something was her yearning for her hometown and home-state.
Monika finished her schooling from Chamba and went on to do her B-Tech from Roorkee College of Engineering. In the year 2016, Monika started working but felt the need to do something back home? Two years later, she quit and headed back home to Chamba. Today, all of 23, the young lady has started a successful Mushroom farming enterprise with a capacity of one to four tonnes of monthly produce, depending on the market requirement.
Talking about her bold step, Monika responds, ”I gave up my job because I felt the urge to do something for my State and it’s people. Armed with the right education hill folks should return to their roots and explore avenues here. ” Adding, “Garhwal is a rich state, it’s a gold mine that we are sitting on.”Initially Monika started a small-scale, one-room mushroom production unit. She tells us, “mushroom growing doesn’t require too much fuss. They easily grow in rooms. With an initial investment of eight to ten thousand anyone can start grow mushrooms, getting good returns too.“
Along with a seven person team Monika is learning the tricks of the trade as she spreads her wings and in turn is imparting the trade of mushroom growing to those who are helping her as well.
Many ask Monika, why farming post an engineering degree? She holds her head high and retorts, “Why not? Its never too late to return home and do something for those whom you grew up with. My career graph might not be the best to boast about, but when I see a smile on the faces of those whom I have helped, and if I can convince even one youth to stay back or return home, then i have accomplished what I set out to do.”
We hope that Monika Panwar’s story inspires those who wish to make a positive difference to a place, they call home.
