Vaishali: Every Saturday, students from government high schools gather at the Vaishali Collectorate for an interactive session with District Magistrate Varsha Singh. Popularly known among students as ‘Collector Didi’, Singh uses the sessions to guide young aspirants on competitive examinations, career planning and personal development.
The initiative enables students to interact directly with the district’s top administrative officer, ask questions about civil services and receive practical advice on preparing for future careers.
Weekly Mentorship for Students
While district magistrates are primarily responsible for overseeing administration and public services, Singh has introduced a weekly mentoring programme aimed at supporting students beyond the classroom.
Held every Saturday, the sessions encourage open discussions where students seek guidance on higher education, competitive examinations and career choices. According to the district administration, the programme is designed to help students make informed academic and professional decisions.
Focus on Civil Services Preparation
During the sessions, Singh advises students to build a strong academic foundation by studying NCERT textbooks from Classes 5 to 12 thoroughly. She also recommends reading newspapers regularly, following current affairs and using digital platforms responsibly for learning.
She told students that coaching is not the only path to success in competitive examinations and that disciplined self-study, when combined with the right strategy, can be equally effective.
Lessons Beyond Academics
Addressing students, Singh said positive thinking, discipline, patience and consistent hard work are essential for achieving long-term goals.
She encouraged students to view failures as opportunities to learn rather than reasons to give up. She also advised them to avoid last-minute stress before examinations by preparing systematically, getting adequate rest and approaching exams with confidence.
Speaking about educational opportunities, Singh said financial constraints should not discourage talented students from pursuing higher studies. She highlighted the availability of government support schemes and education loans for deserving candidates.
“A lack of resources should never stand in the way of talent. If needed, one can pursue higher education by availing the various facilities provided by the government and other institutions, including education loans,” Singh said.
Students Share Their Experience
Student Anushka Priya said she had initially been intimidated by the idea of meeting a district magistrate but found the sessions welcoming and interactive.
She said Singh patiently listened to students’ concerns and suggested that similar doubt-clearing sessions should also be organised in schools to help students strengthen their understanding of various subjects.
Another student, Rajpriya, said she wanted to become an IAS officer and received detailed guidance from Singh on preparing for the examination. According to her, the District Magistrate explained that dedicated study of NCERT books and consistent preparation could help candidates succeed even without coaching.
Encouraging Future Aspirants
Students participating in the programme also discussed administrative services, competitive examinations and career opportunities. During the workshop, the District Magistrate distributed sample question papers, notebooks and pens to support their preparation.
Many students expressed their aspiration to join the Indian Administrative Service in the future. Singh encouraged them to set clear goals, remain disciplined and work consistently towards achieving them.
Participants described the ‘Hamari Collector Didi’ initiative as a motivating platform that provides guidance, confidence and practical direction for students preparing to pursue higher education and competitive careers.
