Why Uttarakhand's Garvita Bhakuni Is Heading to Rashtrapati Bhavan This Independence Day

Every Independence Day, Rashtrapati Bhavan hosts one of the country's most prestigious ceremonies—the President's 'At Home' Reception. This year, among the distinguished invitees is Garvita Bhakuni, a young volunteer from Uttarakhand whose work in disaster preparedness has earned her national recognition. Her selection also shines a spotlight on the Yuva Aapda Mitra programme, an initiative designed to build India's next generation of first responders.

What is the news?

Garvita Bhakuni, a resident of Almora, has been selected to represent Uttarakhand at the President's 'At Home' Reception on August 15. She is one of only five Yuva Aapda Mitra (Young Disaster Friend) cadets chosen from across India, with the other invitees representing Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.

What is the President's 'At Home' Reception?

The President's 'At Home' Reception is an annual Independence Day event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It brings together distinguished guests from across the country, including achievers, public servants, armed forces personnel, artists, sportspersons and citizens who have made exceptional contributions in their respective fields. An invitation is considered a significant national honour.

Who is Garvita Bhakuni?

Garvita Bhakuni is a young volunteer from Almora who has been trained under the Yuva Aapda Mitra initiative. She has been recognised for her commitment to disaster preparedness and community service. Calling the invitation a matter of immense pride, she said the training has given her the confidence and sense of responsibility to serve society, and she hopes more young people join the initiative.

What is the Yuva Aapda Mitra programme?

Yuva Aapda Mitra is a volunteer programme supported by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to train young people in disaster response. Volunteers learn search and rescue techniques, first aid, evacuation procedures, emergency response, community awareness and disaster risk reduction. The programme includes participants from organisations such as the NCC, NSS, MY Bharat and Bharat Scouts and Guides.

Why is it especially important for Uttarakhand?

Uttarakhand regularly faces landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts and other natural disasters. The state government believes trained local volunteers can make rescue operations faster and more effective because communities are often the first responders before professional teams arrive. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said building a network of trained youth volunteers will strengthen disaster preparedness and improve relief efforts across the state.

How big is the initiative?

The state is training 4,310 young volunteers under the Yuva Aapda Mitra scheme, with around 2,700 already completing their training. The aim is to create a statewide volunteer force capable of spreading awareness before disasters, assisting authorities during emergencies and supporting rehabilitation efforts afterwards.

Why does Garvita's selection matter?

Garvita Bhakuni's invitation is not just a personal milestone. It reflects growing national recognition for young volunteers who quietly strengthen disaster preparedness at the grassroots. In an era of increasingly frequent climate-related disasters, her selection underscores the importance of community-led resilience and celebrates public service beyond conventional careers.

(With inputs from ANI)