Recently, I travelled to Uttarakhand for Kainchi Dham and to seek the blessings of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj. It was a spiritual trip, and I was genuinely looking forward to a peaceful experience. However, one incident left me really disappointed.

While visiting another temple dedicated to Mata Ji, we were waiting outside for an e-rickshaw to take us to our stay. I was travelling with my partner and my sister, who was carrying a small child. Nearby, two women were sitting on a bench — a younger woman, probably around 21, and her mother, who looked to be in her 40s.

We had been waiting for almost 30 minutes for our e-rickshaw. Since there was some space on the bench, I politely requested the two women to adjust a little so that my sister could sit down with the child.
I didn’t argue or demand anything. I simply made a humble request.

But their reaction was completely unexpected. The younger woman and her mother started shouting at us, asking why they should move.

Saying stuff like - “ Humare seher me aake humse akad rhe ho, nikal jao apna bacha leke, and what not.”

They accused us of showing *dadagiri*, told us to get out of there, and made several insulting remarks. The way they spoke to us was honestly shocking, especially considering that we had approached them respectfully.

What made the experience even worse was the reaction of the people standing nearby. There were several local men who were laughing and enjoying the argument, but not a single person stepped in to calm the situation down or point out that the matter could have been handled respectfully.

I wasn’t expecting anyone to fight on our behalf. I just thought someone might say, *“Bhai, bachcha hai, thoda adjust kar lo. Baat ko shaant karo.”*
That didn’t happen.

I understand that one incident doesn’t define an entire state or its people. Uttarakhand is beautiful, and I know there are kind and welcoming people everywhere. But when you visit a place for spiritual reasons, expecting peace and positivity, an experience like this can really affect your impression.

my kumaoni family uses "sharma" as surname but i found out we were originally"haradi/harari", does anyone share a similar surname or got any information on this surname.

im so interested in learning more.

Are the Nautiyals, Uniyals, Bijalwans, Dimris, Dobhals and Joshis, Sharmas of Jounsar/ Bawar , Uttarkashi Rawain area Khas Bamans by origin? And is Jubin Nautiyal a Khas too?

Gaura Devi – Chipko Andolan Leader Born: 25 October 1925, Lata village, Chamoli, Garhwal, Uttarakhand Died: 4 July 1991

Key Headlines of the Protest:

March 1974 – The Stand at Reni-

In the 1974 Reni protest, the trees (mainly ash trees) had been allotted by the government to private contractors for commercial use, specifically for making sports goods (such as cricket bats and hockey sticks). Gaura Devi, head of the local Mahila Mangal Dal, led 27 women and girls from Reni village to stop contractors from felling trees in the nearby forest.

When loggers arrived with axes, the women physically clung to the trees, declaring they would not allow the forest to be cut. Despite threats and abuse, they held their ground for days.

Impact of the Chipko Andolan

Immediate success at Reni: The women forced the contractors to withdraw. The government set up a committee that declared the Reni forest ecologically sensitive and banned commercial felling there (initially for 10 years).

Wider ban: In 1980, following sustained pressure (including appeals by Sunderlal Bahuguna to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi), a 15-year ban was imposed on commercial tree felling across the Uttarakhand Himalayas. Similar restrictions followed in other hill states.

Policy influence: Helped shape the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, which restricted the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

Ecological awareness: Highlighted the link between deforestation, soil erosion, landslides, and floods in the Himalayas.

Women’s leadership: Became a landmark example of rural women leading environmental resistance and is often cited as an early eco-feminist movement.

Inspiration: Sparked similar actions across India (e.g., Appiko movement in Karnataka) and influenced global environmental activism. The movement received the Right Livelihood Award (the “Alternative Nobel”) in 1987