Diksha Aithani : “Embrace challenges as learning opportunities”

Diksha Aithani, an alumnus of Himalayan Inter College(HIC), Chaukori and a recipient of scholarship from Himalayan Education Foundation, is enrolled in an undergraduate program in Biotechnology at Chandigarh University. She hails from Bharari near Bageshwar town in Kumaon. Her father is a businessman and her mother is a home maker. Let’s hear from Diksha about herself in her own words.

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Hi, I am Diksha Aithani studying a Bachelor’s course in Biotechnology in Chandigarh. I am completing my first year and about to enter the second year. After the completion of Intermediate from HIC in 2023, I took a break to decide what I really want to pursue next. Since my childhood I have been interested in life sciences. After talking to my seniors and also checking my options, I chose biotechnology as a subject for my undergraduate studies. I am aware of its role in advancing human wellbeing in terms of its contributions to health, agriculture and environmental sustainability.

After the completion of the bachelor’s degree I am thinking about joining an organization as a Biostatistician. I want to focus on acquiring relevant knowledge by joining a master’s program. In addition,  I want to develop my leadership and communication skills. Beyond academics I would like to work as a volunteer in Nature conservation initiatives. 

I believe life is dynamic, constantly evolving and presenting new situations and challenges.There will be opportunities as well. And sometimes I know I need to create those opportunities where I can exercise my skills for the benefit of society as well as for my sustenance. 

Having come from a remote village in the Himalayan hills, I adore nature and peaceful ambiance. I am not much of a city person because I am averse to the noise and pollution of urban environments. What I like most about my hometown is the nice and caring community and the soothing natural surroundings.

I really enjoy such creative activities as nature photography and dancing. In my leisure time I love cooking and baking. My favorite book is “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” by Robin Sharma and the movies I like most are “Fast and Furious” and the Harry Potter series. I like listening to music and my favorite musician depends on my mood at that time and the talent of the singer of that particular song.

I love going places. I have been to Dehradun, Agra, Mathura, Delhi other than the nearby places in the hillsBut having been born and brought up in the mountains, I am fond of spending my holidays in the hills and valleys. 

Hill communities often face significant environmental challenges like deforestation, soil erosion, glacial retreat due to climate change, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. Population-related issues of the hill communities include out-migration in many rural villages as well as high population density in certain areas. People have limited access to healthcare, lack education, experience gender inequality, cultural displacement, and face economic challenges. The list is endless. 

The most crucial things that rural villagers need to thrive include access to clean drinking water, proper sanitation facilities, quality healthcare, a good education, reliable electricity, well-maintained roads, and improved agricultural practices. I want to make a contribution in any of these areas, which would benefit not just me and my family but the coming generations too.

Currently, I am actively involved in a local community organization which focuses on providing food assistance to low-income families and organizing educational workshops for youth.

I feel nostalgic about my  HIC years. The school was like a second home where I was happy and safe. The memories of my school life will always hold a special place in my heart. I love the supportive teachers who were always there to help us. They  encouraged me to learn new things.We had a wide variety of extracurricular activities which I enjoyed very much. 

I would like to tell my juniors at HIC to embrace challenges as learning opportunities and to never be afraid of asking questions. To always strive to understand the ‘why’ behind what you’re learning, because education is not just about memorizing facts, but about developing critical thinking skills. I wish them all the very best!

Contact me at:

Email: aithanidiksha9@gmail.com