Dehradun, June 21 -- magnificent palaces standing like sentinels of time, a culinary heritage that is both rich and deeply rooted, and a citizenry that is courteous, dignified, and deeply respectful of law and order.

Yet, what stayed with me long after the journey ended was something else entirely - the unmistakable, almost comforting presence of people from Uttarakhand.

This is not a new observation for me. Over the years, my travels - whether within India or abroad -have repeatedly brought me face to face with 'Uttarakhandis', in places I least expected. I recall my time in Dubai, where a visit to Haldirams in Al Barsha would often turn into a nostalgic exchange. The manager there, Mr Bhandari, hailed from Uttarakhand, and he once tol...