Haldwani: The excessive use of the internet has made the younger generation more ambitious, as many people claim. However, this same internet has also connected them back to their roots. Many young people from Uttarakhand have learned about their villages from afar and then decided to change the mindset of the village youth. Changing mindsets isn’t achieved through just a few lectures; it requires hard work and dedication. This is exactly what Kushika Sharma and Kanika Sharma, who are engaged in organic farming in Mukteshwar, Nainital, did.
From High-Paying Jobs to Mountain Life
About seven years ago, both sisters were settled in Delhi with high-paying jobs. But their hearts were drawn to the mountains. Unable to ignore their inner calling for long, they decided to show a new path to their people. Their family supported them in this endeavor, and now their story of struggle inspires many youths.
Starting ‘Dayo – The Organic Village Resort’
Kushika and Kanika left the comforts of city life behind and started ‘Dayo – The Organic Village Resort’ in Mukteshwar. Their concept was different from the norm. They aimed not only to provide employment and education through their work but also to raise awareness about organic farming among local people. While farming has been a tradition in the mountains for centuries, locals were unaware of modern techniques.The sisters wanted to make people realize that there is no need to buy external products if they could produce them themselves. They believe that bringing young people back to the village and making locals aware is the only way to stop migration. Introducing new techniques is crucial, otherwise, youth will fall behind. They assert that to stand out from the crowd, one must show courage.
Educational Background and Professional Experience
Kushika and Kanika studied in Nainital and Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. From childhood, they loved the mountains, but like everyone else, they had to leave Uttarakhand to secure their future. Kushika completed an MBA, and Kanika earned a Master’s degree from Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. Kushika worked for about four years as a Senior Research Analyst in a multinational company in Gurgaon, while Kanika received a scholarship for entrepreneurship in Hyderabad. They had the opportunity to work with several prestigious companies. Due to work, they mostly stayed away, but whenever they had a chance, they visited their family in Nainital, where they found the peace they couldn’t experience in the city. After returning home, they grew increasingly disheartened, which led them to quit their jobs and decide to engage in organic farming with the villagers.
Overcoming Challenges in Mukteshwar
Upon reaching their village Mukteshwar, they faced numerous challenges. Organic farming was new to the local population. Kushika and Kanika aimed to involve the locals and took time to build trust. They first assessed the farmers’ situation and found that while agriculture was the mainstay of life here, a lack of awareness prevented agricultural products from reaching urban markets. There was also no knowledge of organic farming in Mukteshwar, so they began by explaining its growing demand and benefits. They also provided training to farmers.
Spreading Knowledge and Establishing the Resort
To keep farmers updated with new techniques, they conducted their own research and visited several states in South India and Gujarat. After completing their training, in 2014, the sisters started farming on 25 acres of land in Mukteshwar and established ‘Dayo – The Organic Village Resort.’ The word ‘Dayo’ means paradise.
A Unique Resort Experience for Guests
Their concept was unique. They aimed to attract guests to organic farming through the resort. People are always ready to learn something new during their vacations. They decided that the resort should provide a homely experience for its guests. They named the five rooms of the Mukteshwar resort in Sanskrit, based on the five elements of nature: Urvi, Ira, Viha, Arka, and Vyoma. This was a unique touch. Just as one can do anything at home, guests at the resort were allowed to cook and harvest vegetables. Through this venture, they provided employment to about two dozen locals and also focused on educating the village children alongside farming.
