Shimla administration launches student outreach initiative against addiction; urges children to dream big and choose the right path
SHIMLA: In a new push to keep children away from drugs and other negative influences, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh have launched a student outreach initiative, taking the anti-addiction message directly to schools.
Interacting with students at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Khalag, the two senior officers delivered a common “win-win” mantra—dream big, stay disciplined, make the right choices and keep the steering wheel of your life firmly in your own hands.
“Your life's steering wheel should remain in your own hands,” Kashyap told the students, stressing that parents, teachers and mentors could guide them but could never decide the direction of their lives.
He urged students not to allow temporary failures or personal setbacks to overwhelm them. Failure, he said, should be treated as a lesson that shows where greater effort and better preparation are required.
Kashyap also made a strong pitch for a life free from addiction, asking students to ensure that there was “no place” for drugs in their lives. He advised them to stay away from people and environments that could push them towards substance abuse.
SP Gaurav Singh identified drugs and excessive mobile-phone use as two major challenges facing children today. He said addiction could destroy young lives, while excessive mobile use was increasingly becoming a source of distraction and other problems among children.
Singh asked students to become the first line of defence against the drug menace by speaking up whenever they notice drug use or other suspicious activities around them.
“If you see something related to drugs or any wrong activity, do not keep it to yourself,” he said, urging students to immediately approach their teachers, parents or the police.
He asked every student to take a firm pledge not to consume drugs and not to enter places where drugs are being used. A strong personal resolve, he said, could help children withstand negative peer pressure.
The officers also stressed the importance of speaking up against wrongdoing. DSP Gulshan Negi told students not to silently tolerate anything wrong happening to them. Any such incident should immediately be reported to parents, teachers or the authorities.
Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Gyan Sagar Negi encouraged students to dream about what they wanted to become and work consistently towards achieving their goals. SDM Shimla Rural Manjeet Sharma said government schools were now equipped with better infrastructure and facilities, including CBSE education, and urged students to focus on their overall development.
Kashyap announced that students of the school securing a place in the State merit list in the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations in March 2027 will receive ₹50,000 each as a merit incentive.
Students scoring above 90 per cent will also be rewarded, with ₹25,000 for first place, ₹20,000 for second and ₹15,000 for third place. The DC said these incentives would be given from his own salary.
He also assured ₹5 lakh through the Block Development Office for expansion of the school premises and financial support for purchasing competitive-examination books for the school library.
School Principal Kulbhushan Sharma, teachers, staff and students attended the programme.
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