The migration of people from rural hilly areas, like Uttarakhand, to urban centers in search of better opportunities has led to the neglect of many villages, resulting in socio-economic and political challenges. A key example is the reduction of legislative assembly seats for Uttarakhand’s hilly regions from 8 to 6 between 2007 and 2012, due to the shrinking rural population and growing urban centers. This has led to unequal political representation, with urban areas receiving more attention.
Campaigns like #अपनावोटअपने_गांव (My Vote, My Village) aim to raise awareness about the importance of voting and encourage migrants to return and vote for their village’s development. By fostering civic participation, these initiatives can help create a more inclusive and balanced society where both urban and rural voices are heard and represented.
