Kumkum Joshi hails from the picturesque village of Tusrera located in Barar valley near Chaukori. Her mother is a dedicated politician, actively working for the welfare and development of the hill community, and her father is a government contractor.
Having completed her intermediate education from Himalayan Inter College (HIC) in 2023, Kumkum is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from Kumaon University, Nainital. She specializes in Zoology and Botany. With a keen interest in biology, she aims to pursue MSc followed by PhD from a reputed university abroad, aspiring to become a professor of biology.
Kumkum is passionate about learning and envisions her future in teaching and research. Besides her academic goals, she is deeply committed to social work, particularly focusing on the welfare of stray animals.
Growing up in the Himalayan hills, she cherished their natural beauty and peaceful environs. Living in a town like Nainital provides her access to better facilities, such as offline coaching and improved healthcare services.
In her leisure, Kumkum enjoys watching Anime, her favorite being “Naruto”. She is an avid music listener and enjoys exploring all genres of music without a specific favorite artist. While she hasn’t traveled extensively, she fondly remembers her visits to Delhi and various places across her home state of Uttarakhand.
Having lived her childhood in a village, Kumkum is concerned about the living conditions of the hill communities in Uttarakhand as they face numerous challenges. Deforestation and soil erosion are some of the environmental issues leading to destruction of local ecosystems. People in the hills are grappling with erratic climatic conditions and water scarcity. Another important issue is the outmigration of youth to cities for better employment and economic opportunities. Villagers have a very limited access to quality education and healthcare.
To improve the quality of life in her village, Kumkum believes developing better road infrastructure for connectivity, providing access to quality education and vocational training and ensuring quality healthcare facilities will go a long way. Introducing sustainable farming practices and promoting eco-tourism will provide economic growth for a better standard of living.
Kumkum would like to contribute to her native village by raising awareness about the conservation of natural resources and organizing community workshops to educate farmers about modern agricultural techniques. She wants to support initiatives for animal welfare and healthcare services in rural areas.
Kumkum and her parents with the principal, HIC
Remembering her years at HIC, Kumkum recalls the greatest moment of her life when she received the Dadu Award, her first major achievement. She says this recognition made her parents proud and also motivated her to aim high in her studies.
Her advice to her junior students at HIC: “Work hard and stay consistent. Challenges might seem daunting, but if you take one step every day, you will reach your destination without realizing it. Always strive to make your parents proud.”
Contact Details:
Email: kumkumjoshi029@gmail.com
Phone: 9758346663
