ZANSKAR: Government Degree College (GDC), Zanskar, hosted an interactive programme by the Himalayan Volunteer Tourism (HVT) team of experts on Thursday, offering students guidance on career opportunities, leadership, technology, personal development and life skills through a series of expert-led sessions.
Organised under the supervision of Principal Dr. Amjad Ali Abbasi, the programme brought together professionals from diverse fields to equip students with practical knowledge and perspectives on academic, professional and personal growth.
Introducing the initiative, Major Anshu Saxena (Retd.), an ex-Indian Army officer associated with educational outreach programmes in Ladakh, informed students that the HVT team comprises more than 18 volunteers from varied professional backgrounds, including individuals with national and international experience, as well as service with the United Nations.
Addressing the gathering, Major Saxena spoke on self-awareness, goal setting and career planning, urging students to identify their strengths and pursue their ambitions with commitment. Referring to career opportunities in the armed forces, she observed that many young people in Ladakh primarily aspire to join the Ladakh Scouts while remaining unaware of opportunities to become commissioned officers. She encouraged students to prepare for leadership positions in the Indian Armed Forces by exploring broader career pathways.
Members of the HVT team later introduced themselves and shared their professional journeys, offering students insights into diverse career choices and workplace experiences.
The technology session was led by software engineer Pankaj, who highlighted emerging opportunities in the information technology and corporate sectors. He explained that graduates from different academic disciplines could enter the IT industry by acquiring relevant technical skills and adapting to hybrid work environments. He also guided students on preparing professional curriculum vitae and demonstrated the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, emphasising the importance of writing clear and structured prompts to obtain meaningful outcomes.
In another session, Dr. Anupama spoke on the relationship between knowledge, values and skills in shaping an individual’s personal and professional life. Using the analogy of a tree, she described values as the roots, knowledge as the trunk and skills as the branches, explaining that each element plays a complementary role in building character and competence. Students were encouraged to create their own “tree” to reflect their personal strengths and aspirations.
The concluding motivational session was delivered by Panki Sood, who recounted his journey from substance abuse to recovery and entrepreneurship. Sharing his personal experiences, he spoke about overcoming addiction through determination, family support and professional assistance before rebuilding his life. Now running a tourism enterprise in Himachal Pradesh, he encouraged students to view setbacks as opportunities for transformation and perseverance.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Haider Ali, Assistant Professor of Sociology, who acknowledged the contributions of the visiting experts and their interaction with students.
