04-07-2026:Governor felicitated the winning teams of the ‘Eat Right Youth Hackathon – Uttarakhand 2026’ at an award ceremony held at Lok Bhavan.

Lok Bhavan Uttarakhand-Information Wing
Press Note

Youth Innovation Will Strengthen a Healthy and Safe Food System: Governor

Governor Felicitates Winners of ‘Eat Right Youth Hackathon – Uttarakhand 2026’

Lok Bhavan Dehradun 04 July, 2026

The Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), felicitated the winning teams of the ‘Eat Right Youth Hackathon – Uttarakhand 2026’ at an award ceremony held at Lok Bhavan on Saturday. Organized under the aegis of the Departments of Medical Health, Medical Education, and Higher Education, the event aimed to encourage innovative ideas and solutions from young people to address challenges related to the food system. The programme was conducted in collaboration with GAIN Global, Nutrition Connect, GAIN India, and the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Uttarakhand.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that in a rapidly developing state like Uttarakhand, young people can play a vital role in promoting healthy lifestyles and bringing about positive social change. He stated that the Eat Right Youth Hackathon is an effective initiative that harnesses the creativity and innovation of youth for the greater good of society.

The Governor highlighted that Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to launch the Eat Right Youth Hackathon. He said such initiatives inspire and empower young people to contribute towards building a healthy, safe, and sustainable food system, and should be continued and expanded.

He further remarked that healthy citizens are the greatest asset in achieving the vision of a Developed India and a Developed Uttarakhand. He emphasized that youth participation is essential in promoting nutritious food, food safety, and public awareness. He also urged all participants to take their innovations to the community and transform their ideas into practical solutions.

A total of 387 teams from across Uttarakhand participated in the Eat Right Youth Hackathon – Uttarakhand 2026. Following a three-stage competition, six teams were selected for their outstanding innovations.

The winners were:

First Prize: Himsathi Innovators from SGRR PG College, Dehradun

Second Prize: Seed Bits from Quantum University, Roorkee

Third Prize: Acorn Innovators from Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar

Consolation prizes were awarded to:

Maitri Poshan from DBS PG College, Dehradun

Foodictive from Government Nursing College, Haldwani

Swasthya Hackers from Government College of Nursing, Sursingdhar, New Tehri

The event’s Guest of Honour, Higher Education and Technical Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, said that the participation of more than 1,600 students from universities, colleges, technical institutes, and medical institutions across the state reflects the commitment of Uttarakhand’s youth to building a healthy, safe, and sustainable food system.

Dr. Supreet Kaur, Head – Programs & Policy, GAIN, said that the Eat Right Youth Hackathon is an innovation-driven campaign aimed at engaging young people with the Eat Right India Movement while promoting awareness about balanced and safe eating habits.

In her welcome address, Ms. Devjani Samantre, Global Manager, Nutrition Connect, highlighted the journey of the hackathon and shared that the organization has successfully implemented similar initiatives in nine countries worldwide.

The event was attended by First Lady Mrs. Gurmit Kaur, Additional Secretary Rohit Meena, Vice-Chancellors of state and private universities, college principals, academicians, food and nutrition experts, and senior officials of the Government of Uttarakhand.
.……0…….