Dehradun. The gateway to the hills. The city of schools and forests.
I read Dehradun news today. And I found 5 stories that made me want to pack my bags.
1. The School That Has No Walls — And That's the Point
A school in the outskirts of Dehradun has no boundary wall. Classes are held in the open. Children sit on mats under trees.
The headline: "Open-air school celebrates 10 years."
The truth: The founder believes walls trap the mind.
2. The Old Man Who Plants Trees on Every Birthday
He is 78. Every birthday, he plants 10 trees. He has planted over 400 trees in 40 years. His forest is now a bird sanctuary.
The headline: "Elderly man's green gift."
The truth: He doesn't wait for government schemes.
3. The Cafe That Hires Only Women — And Feeds the Homeless
A small cafe in Dehradun has an all-women staff. They serve coffee. They also serve free meals to anyone who asks. No questions. No judgement.
The headline: "Women-run cafe feeds 100 daily."
The truth: The owner says: "My mother taught me — never let anyone stay hungry."
4. The Student Who Built a Drone to Spot Forest Fires
A 19-year-old engineering student in Dehradun built a drone. It flies over forests. It detects smoke. It sends an alert.
The headline: "Student's drone helps forest department."
The truth: The department has no budget for drones. He built one for ₹15,000.
5. The Library That Never Closes — Run by Volunteers
A library in Dehradun is open 24/7. No staff. No cameras. Just a register. You take a book. You write your name. You return it when you are done.
The headline: "Trust library runs for 5 years."
The truth: Not a single book has been stolen.
Why Dehradun Gives Me Hope
Dehradun is not perfect. It has traffic. It has pollution. It has growing pains. But it has something else — people who plant trees, cafes that feed the hungry, students who build drones, and libraries that trust you.