Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the fifth Frontier Hill District Children’s Science Festival at Vivekanand Vidya Mandir Inter College in Mandalsera, Bageshwar, on October 9, 2026. The 2-day event is being organised under the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology, known as UCOST.
A total of 240 selected young scientists from Chamoli, Champawat, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh are taking part in the festival. The programme is intended to give students from frontier and hill districts a platform to present their abilities and develop scientific thinking, creativity and innovation.
Funding and technology initiatives
Dhami announced ₹1 crore for the Frontier District Science Festival and related programmes. He also announced work to connect the state’s STEM labs with artificial intelligence and establish one Lab on Wheels in every development block.
The chief minister further announced plans to establish science and innovation centres in all districts of Uttarakhand. He said the government is promoting science- and technology-based education in schools, along with artificial intelligence, robotics and drone technology.
According to Dhami, students must be connected with modern technology so they can prepare for future challenges and opportunities. He also stressed the need to link robotics and drone technology with school education and said a conference on women’s development and science would be organised.
Focus on students and innovation
Dhami interacted with the participating young scientists and answered their questions. He encouraged the students to study extensively, work on new ideas and retain the habit of asking questions.
He said today’s young scientists would become the country’s leading scientists, engineers and researchers. He also referred to the role of the younger generation in fulfilling the goal of a developed India by 2047.
The chief minister urged students to draw inspiration from former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and pursue science and research. He called on them to contribute to the development of Uttarakhand and the country.
Dhami said science and technology were being used to support innovation, transparency in government services and smart agriculture in the state. He also said a Science City was being developed in Dehradun and a science centre in Champawat.
Wider development agenda
The chief minister said the state was promoting local products through the House of Himalayas brand. He added that self-employment opportunities were being encouraged in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, beekeeping and homestays.
The festival also recognised teachers for outstanding work in science. Kavita Harkotia, Deep Chand Joshi, Harimohan Aithani and Khyalī Datt were presented with awards.
The event was attended by Kapkot MLA Suresh Gariya, Bageshwar MLA Parvati Das, minister of state Shiv Singh Bisht, Bhupesh Upadhyay, district panchayat president Shobha Arya, BJP state general secretary Kundan Singh Parihar and UCOST director general Prof. Durgesh Pant.
District Magistrate Apoorva Pandey, Superintendent of Police Jitendra Mehra, Chief Development Officer Naresh Kumar, school principal Awal Singh Topal, public representatives, officials, teachers and participating young scientists were also present.
Conclusion
The Bageshwar festival has brought together 240 students from 6 frontier and hill districts, while the announced ₹1 crore support and planned AI-linked STEM labs, mobile laboratories and district science centres signal a wider push for science and innovation in Uttarakhand’s schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What event did Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurate?
He inaugurated the fifth Frontier Hill District Children’s Science Festival at Vivekanand Vidya Mandir Inter College in Mandalsera, Bageshwar.
Q. How many students are participating?
The 2-day festival includes 240 selected young scientists.
Q. Which districts are represented?
Participants are from Chamoli, Champawat, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh.
Q. How much funding was announced?
Dhami announced ₹1 crore for the Frontier District Science Festival and related programmes.
Q. What technology initiatives were announced?
The government plans to connect STEM labs with artificial intelligence and establish one Lab on Wheels in every development block.
Q. What other centres are planned?
Science and innovation centres are planned in all districts. A Science City is being developed in Dehradun, while a science centre is being developed in Champawat.
Q. Which teachers received awards?
Kavita Harkotia, Deep Chand Joshi, Harimohan Aithani and Khyalī Datt were honoured for outstanding work in science.
