Three lakh school students logged in. One chief minister took notes — literally. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday, 10 August 2026, hosted the Mukhyamantri Yuva Vidyarthi Manthan programme at Mukhya Sevak Sadan, his official residence in Dehradun, turning a government event into a live policy dialogue with Uttarakhand's next generation.

A portal, a competition, and a promise of coaching

Dhami launched the 'Mukhyamantri Yuva Vidyarthi Manthan' portal at the event, and simultaneously flagged off an essay competition for school students titled 'Mere Sapnon Ka Uttarakhand: Ek Viksit Rajya Hetu Mera Drishtikon' ('My Dream Uttarakhand: My Vision for a Developed State'). The competition is open to students across the state's schools.

The prize is more than a trophy. The top 140 students will be honoured by the state government — and, critically, will receive fully funded coaching for competitive entrance examinations including NEET, JEE, CLAT, and SAT, with all associated fees borne by the government. For students in Uttarakhand's hills, where access to quality coaching has historically meant expensive migration to cities, that commitment carries real weight.

Students from 2,828 schools shape the conversation

The event drew virtual participation from students of Classes 11 and 12 across 2,828 government and private schools — more than 3 lakh students in total. The scale made it one of the largest direct student-CM interactions the state has organised.

What stood out was the quality of the exchange. Students raised specific, substantive demands: more sports periods (four per week), stronger opportunities within schools, positioning Uttarakhand as a leader in higher education, boosting tourism, and balancing development with environmental conservation. Dhami did not deflect. He personally noted the suggestions and directed officials to prepare an action plan aligned with them, stating that student inputs would be incorporated into government policy.

On AI, ambition, and learning to think first

Dhami's address to students was direct and unusually candid. He told them that marks matter less than genuine understanding of a subject, that discipline and values are non-negotiable, and that leadership means lifting others — not just oneself. 'Success in life lies not in moving forward alone, but in helping others move forward,' he said.

His remarks on artificial intelligence were pointed. He urged students to use AI only when genuinely necessary, warning that over-reliance carries risks. His formulation was clear: use your own intellect and your teachers' guidance first; reach for AI as a last resort. 'Technology must be our ally, not a substitute for our capacity to think and learn,' he said.

On sports, Dhami cited the Mukhyamantri Udiyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana — a state scheme to nurture emerging athletes — and noted that the recent successful hosting of the National Games in Uttarakhand had sparked fresh awareness about sports as a career path among young people.

Dhami also offered a personal note: he mentioned that his own household includes members of Gen Alpha and Gen Z, giving him, he said, a close-up understanding of what the new generation thinks, aspires to, and worries about.

Present at the event were Prof. Govind Singh (Chairman, Media Advisory Committee), Jyoti Yadav (Secretary, Education), Namami Bansal (Additional Secretary), Akanksha Konde (Director General, Education), and others including Govind Ram Jaiswal, Rahul Aggarwal, and Riya Aggarwal.

Three lakh students offered their vision. The government has promised to write it into policy. Uttarakhand's next development blueprint may well carry a student's handwriting.