Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap Encourages Students to Embrace Literature and Stay Away from Drugs
Shimla, June 11
The third day of the International Shimla Summer Festival 2026 witnessed an engaging session of Shyamala Manthan at the historic Gaiety Theatre, where 24 students from various schools across the district participated in Hindi and English speech competitions.
Deputy Commissioner Shimla and Chairman of the International Shimla Summer Festival Organising Committee, Anupam Kashyap, attended the event as the chief guest and encouraged students to complement their academic learning with literature, particularly works related to India’s rich cultural heritage.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner said the event was organized in line with the vision of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to create a drug-free Himachal Pradesh. He emphasized that literature can play a vital role in guiding youth away from substance abuse and towards positive social values.
He also announced that videos of the winning speeches would be uploaded on the official social media page of the Deputy Commissioner, Shimla.
Hindi Speech Competition Winners
In the Hindi category, Purnima of IVY International School secured the first position and received a certificate along with a cash prize of ₹51,000. Akshita of Government Senior Secondary School Phagli secured second place and received ₹31,000, while Bhumika Sharma of DAV Lakkar Bazaar secured third place and received ₹21,000.
Consolation prizes of ₹5,000 each were awarded to Palak Jasta of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Lakkar Bazaar, and Khushboo of Government Senior Secondary School, Tutikandi.
English Speech Competition Winners
In the English category, Payal Thakur of Government Senior Secondary School Phagli won first place and received ₹51,000 along with a certificate. Aarika of Monal Public School secured second place and was awarded ₹31,000, while Divyansh of Government Senior Secondary School Chhota Shimla secured third place and received ₹21,000.
Consolation prizes of ₹5,000 each were awarded to Kavya Dhajan of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Lakkar Bazaar, and Aitish Sharma of St. Edward’s School, Shimla.
All other participants were honoured with certificates and a cash award of ₹3,100 each.
Distinguished Jury and Guests
The competition was judged by former Director of Information and Public Relations Aarti Gupta, Chairperson of the Hindi Department at Himachal Pradesh University, Dr. Bhawani Singh, and Assistant Professor at the University Institute of Legal Studies Dr. Seema Kashyap.
Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Jyoti Rana, Deputy Director of Higher Education Lekh Raj Bhardwaj, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
