Features
The state of Uttarakhand was formed in the year 2000, by carving out 13 hill-districts (counties) of Uttar Pradesh. It was briefly known as Uttaranchal Pradesh. Spanning the foothills and peaks of the Himalayan Mountain range, it borders China (Tibet) to the north, Nepal to the east, Himachal Pradesh to the west and Uttar Pradesh in the south.
Dehradun is the capital and the largest city in of Uttarakhand followed by Haridwar and Roorkee. The population of Uttarakhand is 10 Million with a GDP of $28 Billion as of 2016. Total FDI inflows were $563 Million in the same year. Hindi and Kumauni are the most commonly spoken languages, while English is the medium of many schools.
Dehradun is known as the school capital of India. During the British rule, many elementary, middle and high schools sprang up to serve the ruling class and well-heeled Indians. Most offered boarding and schooling. This includes Woodstock in Mussoorie, St George’s College, Welham and the Doon School.
It is famous for the Indian Military Academy, and the Survey of India which is India’s national mapping organization. India’s oldest engineering school is based in Roorkee, and is now known as the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. Also, the Indian Institute of Management has a campus in Kashipur.
The Ganges (Ganga) and Yamuna rivers originate from the uppermost region in the Himalayan Mountains in Uttarakhand. Both rivers are considered holy among Hindus; the cities of Haridwar (Doorway to God) and Rishikesh (Hair of the Learned Sages) are popular pilgrimage spots. The Tehri and Dhauliganga dams have been created in order to generate hydro-electric power and provide irrigation.
Doing Business in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand’s proximity to the National Capital Region of Delhi makes it beneficial for both domestic and multinational firms to operate their services. Large corporations such as Nestle, PepsiCo, and one of India’s leading food product companies, Britannia Industries have their manufacturing plants in the industrial estate of Pantnagar. Many of these manufacturers were first attracted to the state by massive tax breaks offered by the government.
Uttarakhand consists of some well-known names in the FMCG industry. ITC Ltd. one of India’s largest private sector companies and Hindustan Unilever has their personal care products division in Haridwar. Patanjali Ayurved, created by famous spiritual teacher Baba Ramdev founded the company in 2006 with the headquarters and manufacturing units in Haridwar.
Tourism
Uttarakhand is famous for its wildlife and religious destinations. One of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites is in Badrinath (altitude 11,000 feet) and part of the ‘Char Dhams’ (four abodes). Situated in Nainital, the Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park for the protection of the endangered Bengal Tiger.
