Lt.Purusharak Suyal Interview
"The Safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command comes next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time"
Q. What inspired you to start Himalaya Dharover, and was there a defining moment that led to your commitment to preserving the culture of Uttarakhand?
I was in the Indian Navy, but I wasn’t getting the professional satisfaction I was seeking. My passion had always been in intelligence work, but I was assigned to a different branch.
Around the same time, my father, who is associated with the Uttarakhand Migration Commission—a body created to curb the mass migration from our state—was deeply involved in understanding why so many villages were becoming ghost villages.
That’s when both of us realized the importance of working at the grassroots level. While engineering and a government job were never the end goals for me, they were steps on a longer journey. So, I made a conscious decision to return home and start something meaningful.
With strong support from my father—who is a social worker with strong connections in the government—we founded Himalaya Dharover. The mission is to curb migration and bring back the people who have left our state.
That’s when both of us realized the importance of working at the grassroots level. While engineering and a government job were never the end goals for me, they were steps on a longer journey. So, I made a conscious decision to return home and start something meaningful.
With strong support from my father—who is a social worker with strong connections in the government—we founded Himalaya Dharover. The mission is to curb migration and bring back the people who have left our state.
These people, after gaining knowledge and skills elsewhere, can return and contribute to the growth of Uttarakhand. The goal is to revive our villages, protect our identity, and preserve our cultural roots.
Another pressing concern was the increasing religious conversions happening in the hills—missionary activity and Islamic conversions. While all religions are beautiful and deserve respect, such conversions affect cultural diversity and innocence of the hill people.
Another pressing concern was the increasing religious conversions happening in the hills—missionary activity and Islamic conversions. While all religions are beautiful and deserve respect, such conversions affect cultural diversity and innocence of the hill people.
Villagers often believe what they’re told. We felt the need to protect our culture from these subtle invasions. So, Himalaya Dharover was launched to promote pride in one's heritage and prevent the dilution of our cultural essence.
Absolutely, challenges are always there—especially from the missionary side. One of the biggest hurdles is not being able to penetrate deep into the villages. These are not topics that trend on social media, so awareness doesn’t spread as easily.
We rely heavily on local social organizations that help my father and me in this cause. But it's tough, especially when it comes to dealing with religious conversions.
Q. Have you faced challenges in promoting this cause, especially around such sensitive issues?
Absolutely, challenges are always there—especially from the missionary side. One of the biggest hurdles is not being able to penetrate deep into the villages. These are not topics that trend on social media, so awareness doesn’t spread as easily.
We rely heavily on local social organizations that help my father and me in this cause. But it's tough, especially when it comes to dealing with religious conversions.
Article 19 of the Indian Constitution gives people the freedom to do anything, and Article 25 allows them to profess any religion. So, to prove that a conversion wasn’t by free will but by manipulation is very difficult.
We try to keep everything peaceful and focus on positive reinforcement. We encourage villagers to take pride in their cultural legacy—like worshipping water bodies, forests, and the land itself.
We try to keep everything peaceful and focus on positive reinforcement. We encourage villagers to take pride in their cultural legacy—like worshipping water bodies, forests, and the land itself.
In our hills, we have traditions like Gram Devta, Bhoomi Devta, and Bhoomi Hal Devta. When these practices are deeply linked with spirituality, people start taking them seriously again. So yes, there are bottlenecks, but the mission is too important to stop.
Yes. In a village called Malla Banas in Pauri Garhwal district, we’ve acquired land and established the Dashik Shastra Adhyayan Kendra, alongside a Himalaya Dharover center.
Q. Can you share a specific example where your NGO has helped reduce migration or revive a village?
Yes. In a village called Malla Banas in Pauri Garhwal district, we’ve acquired land and established the Dashik Shastra Adhyayan Kendra, alongside a Himalaya Dharover center.
Dashik Shastra is an ancient text my mother is working on—it guides how a society or nation should be run. It emphasizes that the country and the community are divine entities, and that religious and caste-based divisions must be shed for effective governance.
We’ve been encouraging youth to participate in local governance, especially Panchayat elections. Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in young Sarpanches emerging from these areas. We also reach out to ex-Army personnel who return after 15 years of service.
We’ve been encouraging youth to participate in local governance, especially Panchayat elections. Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in young Sarpanches emerging from these areas. We also reach out to ex-Army personnel who return after 15 years of service.
Many of them are now engaging in potato farming and other agricultural activities instead of relocating to cities like Dehradun or Haldwani. This shift has sparked employment for others and has slowly started reversing the migration trend.
The Navy instilled in me a value system that’s central to everything I do. At the Naval Academy, we had a billboard that we saw every single morning at 5:30 AM. It read:
"The Safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command comes next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time"
Seeing those words every day for four years engrained them into my bloodstream. Today, as a leader, I carry that with me. Whether it’s my NGO team or any other project, I ensure that I’m the last one to eat, the last one to leave the office, and the first to address the needs of my people.
Fitness is another value I gained from the Navy. It helps me motivate others in the villages to stay healthy. Overall, my discipline, leadership, and commitment stem from those transformative years.
Interestingly, I was fascinated by Commander James Bond. When I discovered that he was a British Naval Officer on deputation to military intelligence, that clicked for me. I wanted to be like him—Commander Purusharak Suyal.
So after my 12th, I gave the NDA exam, cleared it, and joined the Naval Academy. I trained hard and loved every moment. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my desired branch, so I had to leave the service. But I have beautiful memories of the Academy and the service.
Under Himalaya Dharover, my vision is to create a "Swiss Village" in Uttarakhand—a tourism-driven model that combines aesthetics, economy, and sustainability. Our geography is very similar to Switzerland, and I believe with the right infrastructure, planning, and investment, we can replicate such a model.
Tourism can be a major driver in curbing migration. It brings jobs, infrastructure, and pride to local communities. But to do that, I need to understand the mechanics of business—raising capital, handling investors, and project execution. That’s why I’m preparing for the GMAT and aiming for a Tier 1 business school. I need that exposure to bring my vision to life.
Geopolitics is something I follow closely. As an ex-Naval officer trained in psychological warfare, I’m aware of how proxy wars and non-state actors operate. Many revolutions come wrapped in the garb of “justice,” “liberty,” or “truth,” but they’re orchestrated to break a country from within.
There are certain truths that don’t need to be vocalized if they endanger the unity of a family—or a nation. The unity of India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Arunachal to Gujarat, is paramount. If maintaining this unity means sacrificing some truths, then so be it.
So yes, while Himalaya Dharover is my work, safeguarding the ideological fabric of this country is my deeper priority. My Navy training has taught me to decode social media narratives, recognize manipulation, and stay rooted in national interest.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a highly niche and technical field—it's about maintaining aircraft separation, ensuring safety, and following global aviation protocols. While it doesn’t directly relate to social work, the intense stress and demand for situational awareness have shaped how I operate under pressure today.
Information warfare, however, is directly applicable. During the 1971 war, we used deception tactics to hide the location of INS Vikrant. Through false radio signals and procurement patterns, we misled Pakistan into believing the carrier was in Visakhapatnam, leading to the destruction of PNS Ghazi.
Understanding such tactics helps me today in breaking down false narratives and ensuring truth and unity win in the ideological space.
Q. You bring a rich background from the Indian Navy. How has that experience shaped your leadership style, discipline, and your vision for Himalaya Dharover?
The Navy instilled in me a value system that’s central to everything I do. At the Naval Academy, we had a billboard that we saw every single morning at 5:30 AM. It read:
"The Safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command comes next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time"
Seeing those words every day for four years engrained them into my bloodstream. Today, as a leader, I carry that with me. Whether it’s my NGO team or any other project, I ensure that I’m the last one to eat, the last one to leave the office, and the first to address the needs of my people.
Fitness is another value I gained from the Navy. It helps me motivate others in the villages to stay healthy. Overall, my discipline, leadership, and commitment stem from those transformative years.
Q. What originally inspired you to join the Navy? Was there any family influence?
Interestingly, I was fascinated by Commander James Bond. When I discovered that he was a British Naval Officer on deputation to military intelligence, that clicked for me. I wanted to be like him—Commander Purusharak Suyal.
So after my 12th, I gave the NDA exam, cleared it, and joined the Naval Academy. I trained hard and loved every moment. Unfortunately, I didn’t get my desired branch, so I had to leave the service. But I have beautiful memories of the Academy and the service.
Q. You mentioned wanting to pursue an MBA from a top-tier B-school. What are your goals, and how does it align with your NGO’s future?
Under Himalaya Dharover, my vision is to create a "Swiss Village" in Uttarakhand—a tourism-driven model that combines aesthetics, economy, and sustainability. Our geography is very similar to Switzerland, and I believe with the right infrastructure, planning, and investment, we can replicate such a model.
Tourism can be a major driver in curbing migration. It brings jobs, infrastructure, and pride to local communities. But to do that, I need to understand the mechanics of business—raising capital, handling investors, and project execution. That’s why I’m preparing for the GMAT and aiming for a Tier 1 business school. I need that exposure to bring my vision to life.
Q. You also have a deep interest in geopolitics and intelligence. How does that connect with your cultural and NGO work?
Geopolitics is something I follow closely. As an ex-Naval officer trained in psychological warfare, I’m aware of how proxy wars and non-state actors operate. Many revolutions come wrapped in the garb of “justice,” “liberty,” or “truth,” but they’re orchestrated to break a country from within.
There are certain truths that don’t need to be vocalized if they endanger the unity of a family—or a nation. The unity of India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Arunachal to Gujarat, is paramount. If maintaining this unity means sacrificing some truths, then so be it.
So yes, while Himalaya Dharover is my work, safeguarding the ideological fabric of this country is my deeper priority. My Navy training has taught me to decode social media narratives, recognize manipulation, and stay rooted in national interest.
Q. You worked in Air Traffic Control and were trained in information warfare. How do these technical fields apply to your current work?
Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a highly niche and technical field—it's about maintaining aircraft separation, ensuring safety, and following global aviation protocols. While it doesn’t directly relate to social work, the intense stress and demand for situational awareness have shaped how I operate under pressure today.
Information warfare, however, is directly applicable. During the 1971 war, we used deception tactics to hide the location of INS Vikrant. Through false radio signals and procurement patterns, we misled Pakistan into believing the carrier was in Visakhapatnam, leading to the destruction of PNS Ghazi.
Understanding such tactics helps me today in breaking down false narratives and ensuring truth and unity win in the ideological space.
Q. Can you share a memorable experience from your Navy days that’s close to your heart?
There are so many. But the day I was commissioned, standing as an officer with my mother and father present—that was truly special.
Bio
Lt. Purusharak Suyal is a former Indian Navy officer, cultural preservationist, and founder of Himalaya Dharover—a grassroots NGO committed to combating migration and reviving indigenous heritage in Uttarakhand.
A graduate of the Indian Naval Academy (INA), he was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 2016, promoted to Lieutenant in 2018, and served a total of 5 years and 36 days in the Indian Navy before voluntarily retiring in January 2022.
His military specialization was in Air Traffic Control (ATC), but he developed a deep interest in information warfare, intelligence operations, and national security strategy. These passions continue to shape his worldview and social engagement today.
At Himalaya Dharover, Lt. Suyal works closely with rural communities and contributes policy-level recommendations to the Migration Prevention Commission of Uttarakhand, addressing the urgent issue of depopulation in hill villages. The NGO promotes self-employment, cultural identity, and sustainable living, aiming to prevent both intra-state and inter-state migration.
An avid follower of geopolitics, religious dynamics, and political narratives, he applies his military analytical training to decode social and national shifts—particularly around Hindu-Muslim relations and Islamic terrorism in the South Asian context.
Currently, he is preparing for the GMAT with the aspiration to join a Tier-1 B-School, preferably IIM Ahmedabad or ISB, to gain the business expertise required to scale his social impact—particularly through visionary projects like building a “Swiss Village” in Uttarakhand that merges tourism, culture, and local entrepreneurship.
Driven by service, grounded in discipline, and committed to national integrity, Lt. Suyal continues his mission beyond the uniform—uplifting communities, preserving tradition, and building a resilient future for his homeland.
Follow Purusharak on Instagram
Interviewed by Ishika Ahuja
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