We're sharing the contest entries from our Photos of Home grad student photo competition.

This photo is from Siddarth Oli, School of Engineering Science, who writes:

Mahatama Gandhi described Uttrakhand as the Switzerland of India. Here is small glimpse of why he might have felt that way. Uttrakhand is a small region in the northern parts of India, in the foothills of the Himalayas. It has it's own unique culture and way of life. I am a proud native of this heavenly adobe and it is my pleasure to introduce you to my home.

Another aim for me to promote my homeland is because it is slowly dying out. Uttrakhand is inhabited by the very simple, hard-working people but now with rising urbanisation they are being forced to migrate to cities for jobs. I hope I can create enough interest about the place and help it survive.

This photo was taken during a trek to Roopkund, a popular trek in the region. It show the meadows of 'Ali-bugyal' which is at an altitude of about 11000 ft. (for comparison Grouse mountain is about 4000ft). Ali Bugyal is known to be Asia’s most beautiful grasslands.