Kumkum Mataik
Kangra: The Newz Radar, Himachal Pradesh’s first and only digital English news network, on Monday organised its career-awareness initiative ‘Udaan: Discover Your Direction’ at Government Senior Secondary School, Rait (Shahpur), in Kangra district.
The programme was held in collaboration with Aarni University, Kangra, with the aim of helping students navigate career choices in a rapidly changing job market.
The session saw active participation from nearly 200 students, who engaged in discussions on career clarity, emerging opportunities and the importance of skill-based planning. School vice-principal Dr Pankaj Balouria underlined the growing need for structured career counselling, saying informed guidance at the school level can help students make confident and realistic choices about their future.
IAS officer Divya Yadav, of the 2024 batch, was the chief guest at the event. A native of Narmadapuram in Madhya Pradesh, she is currently undergoing district training in Kangra. Sharing her journey, she said she completed her BTech in Electrical Engineering from NIT-Bhopal, worked with Reliance Industries Limited in Surat and cleared the UPSC examination in her fourth attempt.
Addressing the students, Divya Yadav emphasised that success was not confined to civil services alone. “There are countless opportunities across different fields, and every profession has value if pursued with dedication and sincerity,” she said. Using the example of the Covid-19 pandemic, she highlighted how scientists and biology professionals play a crucial role in society by first understanding a disease and then developing its cure.
She spoke in detail about various academic streams, explaining the nature of work and opportunities available in each. Students were encouraged to choose careers based on personal interest and hard work rather than social pressure. Stressing that no profession is small or big, she said every field contributes meaningfully when approached with honesty and commitment.
The IAS officer also advised students to maintain good health, discipline and focus by following a balanced daily routine, adding that teachers are always available to guide them. For UPSC aspirants, she highlighted the importance of staying updated with current affairs, regularly reading newspapers, analysing the UPSC syllabus, referring to previous years’ questions and maintaining consistent self-study.
Sharing her own preparation experience from Bhopal, she spoke about the role of newspaper reading, syllabus-based study and mock tests in improving time management, confidence and exam readiness. Students interested in sports were encouraged to actively participate during school years, as sports contribute to both physical fitness and mental well-being.
She also advised school students to focus seriously on their subjects, avoid unnecessary stress and maintain a healthy balance between studies and health. Awareness of current events and strong understanding of NCERT textbooks, she said, are essential as many competitive exam questions are rooted in school-level concepts. Planning and discipline, she added, make it possible to balance UPSC preparation alongside college studies.
Speaking on the occasion, The Newz Radar Executive Editor Sunil Chadha said the Udaan initiative is designed to help young people identify their strengths, explore non-traditional career paths and take timely, informed decisions. “Udaan is about empowering youth with awareness, adaptability and confidence — qualities that are critical for success today,” he said.
Launched in 2022, The Newz Radar has combined research-driven journalism with community-focused initiatives such as the TNR-Shining Star Awards and the Dharamshala Spring Carnival to promote local culture and tourism. With Udaan, the organisation has expanded its social outreach to include structured career guidance, with plans to take the programme to more schools across Himachal Pradesh in the coming months, Chadha added.
