Munish Sood
Mandi
In a unique initiative aimed at encouraging academic excellence and introducing young achievers to public administration, Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan appointed district topper Alisha Thakur as the ‘One-Day Deputy Commissioner’ on Tuesday.
Alisha, a student of Oxford School, Kotli, secured an outstanding 99.57 per cent marks in the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) Class 10 examination, emerging as the Mandi district topper and securing third rank in the state.
As part of the initiative, she spent the day observing and participating in various administrative activities. She attended official meetings, interacted with officers, reviewed administrative procedures, heard public grievances, and gained firsthand exposure to the functioning of the district administration.
Alisha also participated in the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected Panchayat representatives and observed the state-wide mega mock drill conducted to assess disaster preparedness. The exercise enabled her to understand the role of various departments and agencies in disaster management, emergency response, and relief operations.
Expressing her gratitude, Alisha described the experience as a dream come true.
“Serving as Deputy Commissioner for a day was an unforgettable experience. It has inspired me to work even harder towards my goal of becoming an IAS officer. Getting an opportunity to closely observe administrative functioning will be extremely helpful for my future,” she said.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said the initiative was launched to familiarise meritorious students with governance and public administration while motivating them to aspire for leadership roles in public service.
“Last year too, the district topper was given the opportunity to serve as One-Day Deputy Commissioner. Himachal Pradesh, and Mandi in particular, has exceptionally talented students. What they need is the right exposure and guidance to realise their full potential,” he said.
He added that Alisha had not only brought laurels to Mandi district but had also established herself among the state’s brightest students, making the entire district proud.
Director of Oxford School, Kotli, Shruti Verma congratulated Alisha on her achievement and said the honour was a proud moment for the entire school community.
“Alisha’s success reflects her hard work, discipline and determination. She has been a sincere and dedicated student throughout her academic journey. Her achievement proves that with focus, perseverance and self-belief, students can overcome all challenges and achieve excellence. We are confident that she will continue to excel and fulfil her dream of serving the nation as an IAS officer,” she said.
A resident of Village Jangal in Kotli tehsil of Mandi district, Alisha is the daughter of Prakash Chand, a truck driver, and Kaushalya Devi, a homemaker. A student of Oxford School since Nursery, she is currently pursuing Class XI in the Arts stream.
Her achievement is particularly inspiring as she secured her remarkable result without private tuition, relying on self-study, consistent hard work, and the guidance of her teachers and parents.
Earlier, on June 13, she was honoured by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Education Minister Rohit Thakur for her exceptional performance in the board examinations.
Recognised as an all-round performer, Alisha has earned appreciation for her academic excellence, leadership qualities, communication skills, discipline, and positive attitude.
Sharing a message for fellow students, she advised them to honestly assess their strengths and weaknesses, set clear goals, and remain disciplined in their studies.
“Success does not come overnight. It is the result of consistent effort, self-belief and continuous learning. Hard work and dedication always lead to success,” she said.
Alisha’s remarkable journey from a humble background to becoming one of Himachal Pradesh’s top-performing students stands as an inspiration for young learners across the state.
