Chandan Singh Dhanik: A story of Reverse Migration
About 20 years back, Chandan Singh Dhanik’s parents moved to the plains in search of a livelihood from their Himalayan village. His father secured a job in a private company in Haldwani, a town at the foot of the hills. Chandan left the city to pursue his education at Himalayan Inter College (HIC) in Chaukori, a village far from the comforts and conveniences of his home town. It's an unusual case of reverse migration.
The reputation and quality of education offered by HIC are decisive factors for his choice to relocate to the hills . With a scholarship from Himalayan Education Foundation (HEF) to support his studies, Chandan completed his intermediate education from HIC in 2025. He is currently a student of a Bachelor program in a college in Haldwani, his home town. Let's know more about Chandan in his own voice.
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Hi, I am Chandan, studying Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Amrapali University. As of now, I’m living with my parents in Haldwani, where they settled a long time ago.. My father works in a paper mill and my mother is a homemaker; they’ve always worked hard to support us. I went to Chaukori for my school education at HIC. My grandmother came to stay with me during that period.
With my grandmother
Growing up, I found myself drawn to Mathematics and English. There’s a certain satisfaction I get from solving a complex math problem—it’s like a puzzle where everything finally clicks into place through logic. English, on the other hand, is my gateway to the world. I practice it every day because I want to communicate with confidence and fluency. I owe a lot of my interest in these subjects to the teachers who guided me at HIC.
Looking ahead, my goals are set in the world of technology. I’m currently pursuing my BCA and hope to move on to an MCA afterward. I’m fascinated by the "modern" frontier—things like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity. My aim is to become a software developer at a great company, but I know that being a good coder isn't enough. I'm also working on my analytical thinking and my physical fitness, trying to grow as a complete person.
The hills that I call my home
When think back to my school days in the hill country. I truly loved it there. The peacefulness, the cool breeze, and those evening walks through the greenery were my reset button; they kept me calm and motivated. Living in the city now is a bit of a struggle for me. I’m not a fan of the noise and the crowds. I find myself constantly missing the clean mountain air and that sense of natural beauty.
In my spare time, I like to relax with a good game or dive into "mysterious" topics that require deep analysis. If I’m looking for inspiration, I turn to music by Arijit Singh or Akhil Pasreja, or I’ll re-watch Peaky Blinders. That series really resonates with me—it’s about the importance of unity, respect, and, most importantly, never giving up on the life you want to build.
My trek to the hill top temple
My sense of adventure usually leads me back to the mountains. I love exploring on my bike or scooty because you get a 360-degree view of nature that you just can't get from a car. One of my most memorable trips was trekking from Bhanar Temple up 30 kilometers to Shikhar Temple. It was a tough journey, but it gave me a real sense of freedom.
Life in the hills is beautiful but fragile. I am aware of the hardships my home community faces. People deal with landslides, lack of healthcare, and a lack of jobs, which is why so many young people eventually migrate to the cities leaving behind their aged parents. I feel sad to see their suffering in their old age. I wish the youth get decent employment opportunities in their native place.
If I could contribute to my village, I’d focus on sustainable tourism and stopping the unplanned construction that causes so much environmental damage. I want to see a future where people can earn a good living in the village without destroying the nature that makes it special.
When I was a student of HIC
When I think about my time at HIC, I mostly think about the people. I remember playing on the school grounds in my early years and the constant support of my teachers. I’ve always been proud of our Principal, too; her dedication and strength really set the tone for all of us.
If I could give any advice to the students currently at HIC, it would be this: find your balance. Study hard, but don't forget to enjoy your life and develop who you are as a person. And please, start thinking about your career path early—it saves you a lot of stress and confusion later on. I’m still working toward my own goals, but I’ve learned that planning and persistence are everything.
My contact details:
Phone: 7217365644
Email: chandandhanik55@gmail.com
Instagram:chandan_singh_dhanik