Kumkum Mataik
Dharamshala: The Newz Radar, Himachal Pradesh’s first and only digital English news network, on Friday (December 26, 2025) organised the third episode of its career-awareness campaign ‘Udaan: Discover Your Direction’ to help students make informed career choices in a fast-evolving job market.
The counselling session was held at Dayanand Model Senior Secondary School in Dharamshala, Kangra district, in collaboration with Aarni University, Kangra.
Nearly 200 students from Classes X, XI and XII participated in the interactive session, which focused on career clarity, emerging opportunities and skill-based planning. School principal Meenakshi Gautam welcomed the initiative and highlighted the importance of early career guidance for students.
The chief guest, Dr Vishal Sharma, an HAS officer and Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education, encouraged students to look beyond conventional career paths. He said the education sector today offers a wide range of courses and opportunities, and students should explore options based on interest and aptitude rather than social pressure.
Interacting with students, Dr Sharma discussed various academic streams — Science, Commerce and Humanities — and explained the competitive exams that students from different backgrounds can attempt, including NEET and CLAT. He addressed common misconceptions about careers in law and humanities, explaining that students from science streams can also move into law, commerce or design fields.
Focus on lesser-known options such as IIT Humanities
He also spoke about lesser-known options such as IIT Humanities, UCFO and Bachelor of Design programmes at IITs, which are now open to humanities students as well. Stressing that success is not limited to academic scores alone, he urged students to identify their talents and combine them with dedication and hard work.
“We are the youngest nation in the world,” Dr Sharma said, adding that parents should also be included in career counselling sessions so that students receive informed guidance at home. He highlighted that under the New Education Policy (NEP), credits will be awarded for non-academic activities as well, with greater focus on practical knowledge, environmental awareness and holistic development.
The session concluded with a strong message against rote learning. “The idea is not just to learn, but to invite the subject. Memorisation alone is not real education,” he said.
Counselling session by Assistant Professor Ashish Prashar
The counselling session was conducted by Ashish Prashar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Business Management at Aarni University. He guided students on career planning, self-confidence and decision-making, while also introducing them to various academic programmes offered by Aarni University.
Emphasising the growing importance of skill-based and short-term courses under the NEP, Prashar motivated students to focus on continuous self-improvement. Drawing inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita, he reminded students that life presents challenges at every stage and perseverance is key to success.
“Never consider yourself less than anyone else; grow and succeed in your own way,” he told the students.
Prashar shared valuable insights on career planning, self-confidence and decision-making, helping students understand real-world academic and professional expectations. He introduced students to Aarni University, highlighting various subjects and programs offered by the institution.
He expressed gratitude towards The Newz Radar for organising such meaningful career awareness events in schools in Himachal Pradesh.
The Newz Radar Executive Editor Sunil Chadha said the Udaan initiative aims to help youth recognise their strengths, explore non-traditional career paths and take timely, informed decisions. “Udaan is about empowering youth with awareness, adaptability and confidence, which are essential for success today,” he said.
Since its inception in 2022, The Newz Radar has blended research-driven journalism with community-focused initiatives, including the TNR-Shining Star Awards and the Dharamshala Spring Carnival, to promote tourism and local culture. With Udaan, the organisation has added structured career guidance to its social outreach, with plans to expand the programme to schools across Himachal Pradesh in the coming months, said Sunil Chadha.
