Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Dehradun, despite heavy rain, drew thousands of students and young people to hear his address on critical issues facing the youth. The Congress campaign highlighted rampant paper leaks, the financial burden of education on middle-class families, and the severe lack of diverse employment opportunities beyond government jobs. Gandhi emphasized that struggling manufacturing sectors, concentrated business ownership, and the impact of artificial intelligence further limit prospects for young Indians. The event's focus on these relatable concerns resonated with attendees, suggesting a potential boost for the Congress party in Uttarakhand by connecting with grassroots issues and the nation's future workforce.

Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Dehradun, despite heavy rain, drew thousands of students and young people to hear his address on critical issues facing the youth. The Congress campaign highlighted rampant paper leaks, the financial burden of education on middle-class families, and the severe lack of diverse employment opportunities beyond government jobs. Gandhi emphasized that struggling manufacturing sectors, concentrated business ownership, and the impact of artificial intelligence further limit prospects for young Indians. The event's focus on these relatable concerns resonated with attendees, suggesting a potential boost for the Congress party in Uttarakhand by connecting with grassroots issues and the nation's future workforce.

Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Dehradun, despite heavy rain, drew thousands of students and young people to hear his address on critical issues facing the youth. The Congress campaign highlighted rampant paper leaks, the financial burden of education on middle-class families, and the severe lack of diverse employment opportunities beyond government jobs. Gandhi emphasized that struggling manufacturing sectors, concentrated business ownership, and the impact of artificial intelligence further limit prospects for young Indians. The event's focus on these relatable concerns resonated with attendees, suggesting a potential boost for the Congress party in Uttarakhand by connecting with grassroots issues and the nation's future workforce.

Before Rahul Gandhi's entry on the stage, a big "Karma" flashed on the screen, suggesting that the BJP-led government would eventually pay the price for what the Congress describes as its apathy towards the future of students. One of the party's chain of events under its outreach campaign, Chhatron Ki Goonj, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on Friday, the event was wrapped in a heavy dose of music and songs. An attempt to connect directly with the music loving youth.

At the entrance gate, a banner read: "Leak pe Leak, Sarkaar Asleep." Even heavy rainfall failed to keep people away. Thousands, perhaps more than 10,000, tip-toed around puddles and searched for dry patches as they navigated the wet venue to listen to Rahul Gandhi's speech. Much of the crowd comprised students, young people and Gen Z attendees, many of whom stayed on till the end of the Gandhi's speech.

Mamta Rawat, a mother of two daughters who stood throughout Gandhi's speech, said that one of her daughters was preparing for competitive exams and had worked extremely hard, but just after her exams, there was news of paper leaks everywhere. "This is a problem for the whole family. We spend so much money on our children, but the government has not been able to take care of the educational requirements of the middle class," she said.

Another college student, Parminder Singh from Dev Bhoomi College, believes that if the issue is not addressed, people will lose confidence in the system.

Gandhi said, "You leave life aside and prepare day and night, but the truth is that your family, your sisters and brothers stand by you and support you. Ninety-nine per cent of these students belong to middle-class and poor families."

"There are many who do not have enough money to educate their children. The answer to all this is that, like other countries, there should be five different doors open for employment, like manufacturing, entrepreneurship, corporate jobs, public sector and government jobs. Except all, only one, that is government jobs are available," Gandhi added.

Gandhi said the other four doors are closed for you. "Manufacturing is struggling because China is exporting to us. Businesses are concentrated in the hands of a few industrialists, while corporate jobs are increasingly being affected by artificial intelligence," Gandhi said.

"Statistics reveal everything. Out of nearly nine crore aspirants, only six lakh become successful. Which means, out of every 150 young people, only one gets employed," he added.

The locals think that Rahul's picking up of issues which are common people's concern has connected people at the grassroots.

"It is a central issue in India now. This is not a political meeting. This is about India, its future, and the struggles and difficulties that young people face," Gandhi said.

A local shopkeeper Inderjeet says that Rahul's regular appearances were signs of hard work and that if both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi continue connecting with the masses and picking up issues in this manner, it could help the party grow in Uttarakhand.

However, party leaders say the Congress lacks local connect and that, over the years, the way the organisation has eroded everywhere, Uttarakhand too has witnessed an erosion of its grassroots network.

Congress leaders say there should be a greater push to address paper leaks, as many students have allegedly committed suicide and there has been little punishment for the perpetrators.

"Congress has many issues at hand right now but the reason the party has picked up Chattron Ki Goonj is because we understand that it is the future crop of the country that is at stake," a senior Congress leader said, "Today's students will carry India on its shoulders tommorow, only if they are trained, employed, well skilled and the government is careless and reckless about this very future of the country."

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