Chandigarh | July 6, 2025

In an unprecedented move to reshape public education, Chandigarh has launched the ‘Adopt a School – Inspire a Generation’ programme, where top professionals from civil services, academia, healthcare, and industry will mentor students of government schools.

From Tuesday, 132 mentors — including IAS and IPS officers, Panjab University professors, doctors, and entrepreneurs — will begin regular engagement with students of Classes 11 and 12 across the city’s 42 government senior secondary schools. The goal is to offer career guidance, build life skills, provide emotional support, and expose students to real-world experiences.

“This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. Mentors will act as role models, guides, and motivators for our youth,” said Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar, Director, School Education.

Mentors from All Walks of Life

Each school will have a team of four mentors, one from each sector:

• Civil Services: 42 senior officers from IAS, IPS, PCS, DANICS

• Academia: 42 professors, largely from Panjab University

• Healthcare: 42 doctors, especially from community medicine and psychiatry

• Industry: 42 entrepreneurs and professionals from diverse backgrounds

Among the prominent mentors:

• IAS Officers: Ajay Chagti (GMSSS-15), Prerna Puri (GMSSS-21), Mandeep Singh Brar (GMSSS-16), Rajeev Verma (GGMSSS-18), and others

• IPS Officers: Pushpendra Kumar (GMSSS-8), Kanwardeep Kaur (GMSSS-35), Paviter Singh (GSSS Khuda Lahora)

• Professors from PU: Registrar Yajvender Pal Verma (GMSSS-8), Prof Nandita Shukla Singh (GMSSS-16), and Dr Anju Suri (GMSSS-23)

Monthly Visits & Holistic Support

Mentors are expected to visit their allotted school at least once a month, conduct workshops, hold discussions on stress management, cyber safety, and career planning, and help students build confidence and ambition.

Schools have been instructed to align their extracurricular activities with the mentorship calendar and create space for regular mentor-student interaction.

“For many of these students, this will be the first time they interact directly with people who shape the city’s administration, education, health and business sectors — not on a stage, but in their classrooms,” said an education department official.

Mentorship at a Glance

• Total mentors appointed: 132

• Number of schools covered: 42

• Mentor categories: 1 officer + 1 doctor + 1 professor + 1 entrepreneur per school

• Frequency: Minimum one school visit per month

This long-term initiative is expected to not only improve the exposure and aspirations of students but also forge meaningful community partnerships in shaping Chandigarh’s next generation.