Sunil Chadha
Dharamshala: In a powerful message aimed at empowering youth and celebrating academic excellence, Dr. Rishad Mohammed, Managing Director of Guru Study Center, addressed a gathering of more than 1,300 attendees at the prestigious Shining Star Awards, organised by The Newz Radar media network. The event was held at the auditorium near Government Degree College, Dharamshala, and was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri as the Chief Guest.
The audience included meritorious students who had scored above 90% in Class 10 and 12, along with prominent dignitaries from the state’s civil and administrative services, including IAS and IPS officers, engineers, and senior bureaucrats.
Dr. Rishad, who was invited as a special guest, used the platform to highlight a pressing societal concern — the growing menace of drug abuse among youth. Addressing the young achievers directly, he urged them to remain vigilant and resilient in the face of peer pressure and harmful temptations.
“Do not fall into the trap of peer pressure. Remember the hard work, sacrifices, and sweat of your parents that brought you here today. You are becoming role models for others — live up to that responsibility,” he said.
He further emphasized the importance of leading a disciplined life, especially in an increasingly competitive environment where students must remain focused and grounded to succeed.
“Competitions are getting tougher each year. If you wish to reach your goals, you must stay away from bad habits and embrace a lifestyle rooted in discipline, sincerity, and purpose,” he added.
Dr. Rishad also spoke about the work of Guru Study Center, one of Himachal Pradesh’s leading coaching institutes for NEET aspirants, and reaffirmed its commitment to helping students achieve academic excellence through structured mentoring and ethical guidance.
The Shining Star Awards serve as a unique initiative to celebrate student achievement while fostering values of integrity, hard work, and social responsibility. Organisers reiterated that the event is purely non-commercial, driven by the vision of spreading positivity and recognition in the community.
The event concluded on an uplifting note, with students and dignitaries applauding the initiative for providing both inspiration and a moral compass to the next generation of leaders.
