Uttarakhand Kicks Off Statewide Youth Hackathon for Food Safety Solutions
Uttarakhand's education and health minister Dhan Singh Rawat launched a major youth innovation competition on Monday. He introduced the Eat Right Youth Hackathon in Dehradun to mark National Youth Day. This six-month statewide initiative seeks to promote awareness about safe and healthy food systems.
Addressing Critical Food Safety Challenges
The hackathon aims to tackle growing concerns around food safety and nutrition. Officials highlight that food safety now represents a key public health issue. It directly impacts economic development and consumer confidence across communities.
Unhealthy dietary patterns contribute significantly to lifestyle diseases. These include obesity, heart conditions, and diabetes. Recent data from the Indian Council for Medical Research reveals troubling statistics. Nearly ten percent of Indian families have all members classified as obese due to poor eating habits.
The United Nations' State of Food Security and Nutrition report adds more context. It states that approximately 55.6 percent of India's population cannot afford a nutritious diet. This situation creates serious challenges for nutritional wellbeing nationwide.
Encouraging Youth Participation and Innovation
Minister Rawat described the initiative as particularly timely. He noted that Uttarakhand becomes the first state to organize such a program focused specifically on food safety and nutrition.
"Through this hackathon, young people will understand the importance of eating safe, healthy and sustainable food," Rawat explained. "It will also give them a platform to present innovative and practical solutions to gaps in our existing food system."
The event expects participation from around three hundred institutions across Uttarakhand. These include universities, colleges, medical colleges, and technical institutions. The Department of Higher Education organizes the hackathon in collaboration with the Food Safety and Drug Administration.
Structure and Rewards for Participants
Officials designed the competition to encourage youth to identify challenges within food systems. Participants will suggest technological, social, and practical solutions. The goal is to strengthen safe and sustainable food ecosystems throughout the state.
Joint Director of Higher Education Professor A S Uniyal outlined the prize structure. The top five teams will receive substantial cash awards:
- First prize: Rs 1.5 lakh
- Second prize: Rs 1 lakh
- Third prize: Rs 75,000
- Two additional prizes of Rs 50,000 each
Minister Rawat urged educational institutions to actively motivate their students. He wants maximum participation from young innovators across Uttarakhand. The hackathon represents a significant step toward addressing food safety through youth engagement and creative problem-solving.
