Shrey has now returned to his hometown Dehradun and is running an alternative school, SURAAH, in the tribals hills. This school is catering to tribal children, encouraging students to engage with nature directly, making their learning more meaningful and experiential.

This essay explores how the systemic neglect of rural education and local context has fueled mass migration and the rise of "ghost villages" in Uttarakhand. It advocates for a pedagogical shift at SURAAH that honors indigenous knowledge and land-based learning to restore dignity, curiosity, and a sense of belonging to the hills.