Garhwal MP Anil Baluni (PTI image) NEW DELHI: As part of his campaign to re-populate settlements hit by exodus of locals in Uttarakhand, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni played Holi with current and former residents of Dhoor village during his visit to the constituency. Several former residents returned to the village briefly to play the festival of colour to render the almost empty village a vibrant feel, which reminded them of a bygone era before they relocated to different cities in search of livelihood. “Since childhood, I have seen villages being deserted because people sought better lives in cities. Today, many of them are called ghost villages . But now, with improved roads, electricity, water and other facilities, it is time to return to our roots, where our heritage truly thrives,” Baluni said.Israel attacks IranIsrael Attack Iran Live Updates: Missiles strike US navy headquarters in Bahrain; explosions heard in Abu Dhabi, DohaUS, Israel attack Iran: AI Tel Aviv flight returning to IndiaIran attacks US military bases across Middle East in operation ‘Truthful Promise 4’Baluni, who was a Rajya Sabha member before being elected to Lok Sabha in 2024, has been spearheading a campaign to revive traditional festivals, a call given by PM Narendra Modi, and to bring back former residents to their native villages to revive the old way of life in these remote, hilly areas which have suffered stagnation as people left.Once vibrant with laughter and livestock, these hamlets, numbering hundreds across Uttarakhand, lie abandoned now, their terraced fields covered with wild weeds and the houses locked and crumbling, he said. Migration has taken a toll on the region, he added. Baluni said Pauri had eight Assembly constituencies earlier but the number has come down to six and it can fall further after the next “delineation”. Several districts across the hill state are facing the same crisis, he said. Amid the splash of colours and bursts of laughter, Holi was celebrated with the handful of families still staying put in Dhoor. They were joined by many former residents who returned from distant cities on the occasion. Baluni has been visiting such villages at frequent intervals in his efforts to repopulate them. As part of his efforts, the BJP leader has also launched the “Apna Vote Apne Gaon” campaign, urging people to register themselves as voters in their native villages.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Canada Aims To Sign Trade Deal With India By The End Of This Year’: Mark Carney In Mumbai’Moral Cowardice’: PM Modi’s Israel Visit Faces Oppn Heat As US-Israel Launch Strikes On Iran’Urge All Sides To…’: India Calls For Dialogue And De Escalation As US And Israel Attack Iran‘Historic’: US Envoy Gor Hails Micron’s Chip Plant Launch In Guj, Cites Modi-Trump FriendshipAfghanistan War, Iran Conflict Push Pakistan Into Two Front Security Challenge Amid Regional TensionHarvard University Responds After Sanskrit Course Image Sparks Criticism‘Target Religious Minorities’:UNHRC Side Event Flags Blasphemy Law Abuse In Pakistan And Bangladesh’Muslim League-Maoist Congress’: PM Modi Hits Out Over ‘Shirtless’ Protest At AI SummitIsrael-Iran War: AirIndia, IndiGo, Global Carriers Suspend Flights Amid West Asia Airspace ClosuresMunir’s Gamble Or US Script? As Trump Praises Pakistan, Is Islamabad Replaying Old Afghan Playbook?123PhotostoriesBaby names inspired by Lord ShivaHow to prevent weeds from invading your balcony garden5 essential property documents every homebuyer must verifyWhy many Indian women don’t meet daily protein requirements: Doctor explains how to fix it naturallyFrom Rashmika’s vintage gold to Nayanthara’s custom red: 5 South Indian celebrity weddings that broke the internet with their style5 Powerful Surya mantras to chant every morningMini workouts: Can 5 minutes a day build real fitness?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s comfort recipes from his home kitchen that you can’t missHoli 2026: Forgotten Holi drinks that disappeared over time5 luxury electric cars offering performance, prestige and sustainable innovation123Hot PicksIsrael attack IranWest Bengal SIRGold rate todayDubai airportIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingIsrael Iran ConflictUS Israel Strike IranPakistna vs Sri Lanka ScorecardLucknow businessman murderRinku SinghIndian Wells Open 2026Crude OilQatar AirwaysMaxx Crosby InjuryNHL Trade
NEW DELHI: As part of his campaign to re-populate settlements hit by exodus of locals in Uttarakhand, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni played Holi with current and former residents of Dhoor village during his visit to the constituency. Several former residents returned to the village briefly to play the festival of colour to render the almost empty village a vibrant feel, which reminded them of a bygone era before they relocated to different cities in search of livelihood. “Since childhood, I have seen villages being deserted because people sought better lives in cities. Today, many of them are called ghost villages . But now, with improved roads, electricity, water and other facilities, it is time to return to our roots, where our heritage truly thrives,” Baluni said.Baluni, who was a Rajya Sabha member before being elected to Lok Sabha in 2024, has been spearheading a campaign to revive traditional festivals, a call given by PM Narendra Modi, and to bring back former residents to their native villages to revive the old way of life in these remote, hilly areas which have suffered stagnation as people left.Once vibrant with laughter and livestock, these hamlets, numbering hundreds across Uttarakhand, lie abandoned now, their terraced fields covered with wild weeds and the houses locked and crumbling, he said. Migration has taken a toll on the region, he added. Baluni said Pauri had eight Assembly constituencies earlier but the number has come down to six and it can fall further after the next “delineation”. Several districts across the hill state are facing the same crisis, he said. Amid the splash of colours and bursts of laughter, Holi was celebrated with the handful of families still staying put in Dhoor. They were joined by many former residents who returned from distant cities on the occasion. Baluni has been visiting such villages at frequent intervals in his efforts to repopulate them. As part of his efforts, the BJP leader has also launched the “Apna Vote Apne Gaon” campaign, urging people to register themselves as voters in their native villages.
