Mandi District's Topper Becomes One-Day Deputy Commissioner

A Unique Initiative to Inspire Young Achievers

Munish Sood
Mandi

In an innovative effort to promote academic success and familiarize young achievers with public administration, Mandi's Deputy Commissioner, Apoorv Devgan, appointed Alisha Thakur, the district's top student, as the ‘One-Day Deputy Commissioner’ on Tuesday.

Alisha, a pupil at Oxford School in Kotli, achieved an impressive 99.57% in the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) Class 10 exams, ranking first in Mandi district and third in the state.

During her day in office, she engaged in various administrative tasks, attended official meetings, interacted with officials, reviewed procedures, addressed public concerns, and gained valuable insights into district administration operations.

Alisha also took part in the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected Panchayat representatives and observed a large-scale mock drill aimed at evaluating disaster preparedness. This experience allowed her to learn about the roles of different departments and agencies in managing disasters and emergency responses.

Expressing her appreciation, Alisha called the experience a dream realized.

“Being Deputy Commissioner for a day was an unforgettable experience. It has motivated me to strive harder towards my ambition of becoming an IAS officer. Observing administrative processes closely will greatly benefit my future,” she remarked.

Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan noted that this initiative aims to introduce outstanding students to governance and public administration, encouraging them to aspire for leadership roles in public service.

“Last year, we also provided the district topper with the chance to serve as One-Day Deputy Commissioner. Mandi, and Himachal Pradesh as a whole, is home to exceptionally talented students. They require the right exposure and guidance to unlock their full potential,” he stated.

He emphasized that Alisha not only brought honor to Mandi district but also distinguished herself among the brightest students in the state, making the entire district proud.

Shruti Verma, the Director of Oxford School, congratulated Alisha on her achievement, calling it a proud moment for the entire school community.

“Alisha’s success is a testament to her hard work, discipline, and determination. She has consistently been a dedicated student throughout her academic journey. Her achievement demonstrates that with focus, perseverance, and self-belief, students can overcome challenges and achieve excellence. We are confident she will continue to excel and fulfill her dream of serving the nation as an IAS officer,” she said.

Hailing from Village Jangal in Kotli tehsil of Mandi district, Alisha is the daughter of Prakash Chand, a truck driver, and Kaushalya Devi, a homemaker. She has been a student at Oxford School since nursery and is currently in Class XI, pursuing the Arts stream.

Her remarkable achievement is particularly inspiring as she accomplished this without private tutoring, relying solely on self-study, hard work, and the support of her teachers and parents.

On June 13, she was also recognized by the Deputy Chief Minister and the Education Minister for her outstanding performance in the board exams.

Alisha has been acknowledged as an all-round performer, receiving praise for her academic excellence, leadership skills, communication abilities, discipline, and positive attitude.

In a message to her peers, she encouraged them to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses honestly, set clear goals, and maintain discipline in their studies.

“Success is not instantaneous. It results from consistent effort, self-belief, and ongoing learning. Hard work and dedication always lead to success,” she advised.

Alisha’s inspiring journey from a modest background to becoming one of Himachal Pradesh’s top students serves as a beacon of motivation for young learners throughout the state.