In Dehradun, Manisha and Meghnad catch up with social activist Anoop Nautiyal and journalist Tania Saili Bakshi. Nautiyal previously contested elections first for the AAP and then as an independent, though he's since left politics. Tania runs a bilingual news website and works on the Valley of Words literature festival.
Anoop and Tania talk about the forgotten women voters of the hill state. More women than men voted in the last assembly election, they explain, but women still find scant representation when it comes to ticket distribution. Anoop says there's been a 30 percent rise in the number of voters this election, and explains the issue of migration and what it means to be an Uttarakhandi. They also talk about how Modi donning the pahadi topi on Republic Day seems to have touched a chord with Pahadis and why the prime minister is still the BJP's USP in the state.
Also, here's a tip: If you ever visit Kumaon and Gharwal, skip the chow mein and chicken tikka and try some local food. The team has some suggestions.
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