Inspiring Career Guidance Event at Aarni University for Sihunta Students

Motivational Session by HAS Officer Swati Walia

Pallavi Sharma

Chamba
On Friday, students from Green Field School in Sihunta, Chamba district, were inspired by a motivational talk from Swati Walia, an officer in the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services (HAS). This event was part of the 'Udaan' career guidance initiative, organized in collaboration with Aarni University.

During her address to senior students, Walia shared her personal story, emphasizing the importance of resilience, discipline, and hard work. She encouraged the youth to focus on long-term goals instead of seeking immediate success. Her speech was a vital part of Udaan, which aims to promote career awareness and community engagement throughout Himachal Pradesh.

Hailing from Kangra district, Walia comes from a disciplined military family. After the passing of her father, Captain Satinder Prakash Walia, in 2008, her mother, Sadhna Walia, raised seven daughters. Swati, the youngest, highlighted that all her sisters are now successful professionals, showcasing a powerful example of women's empowerment through education and values.

Walia candidly discussed the three-year academic hiatus she faced after her father's death, the difficulties of preparing for competitive exams during the pandemic, and her recovery from paralysis between 2022 and 2023. She encouraged students by stating, “Setbacks are not the end; they are merely pauses that test your determination,” which resonated well with the audience.

A gold medalist from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Walia earned her degree in Botany and Zoology before receiving a scholarship for an integrated PhD at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Her competitive exam journey includes taking the UPSC-Mains in 2020 and successfully clearing the HAS in 2025 after multiple attempts.

In addition to her academic achievements, Walia shared her entrepreneurial journey, detailing her successful startup of dhoop and incense sticks in Mumbai, launched in 2020. Both students and teachers found her session to be incredibly motivating.

The Udaan initiative seeks to connect aspirations with opportunities, especially in remote and semi-rural regions.

Through Udaan, the program aims to bring real-life role models closer to students, while Aarni University continues its commitment to social outreach and educational empowerment across Himachal Pradesh.