Mohali: Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal, an IAS officer of 2014 batch from Punjab cadre, paid her first visit as a mentor to the School of Eminence, Phase 11, Mohali, leaving an indelible mark on the students with her inspiring life story and words of encouragement.
Interacting with Class 10 and 12 students in the school library, DC Mittal responded to a heartfelt request from Class 12 student Sapna by sharing her personal journey—one marked by resilience, self-discovery, and determination.
Recalling her academic path, she revealed that although she began in the pre-medical stream, her inner calling led her to switch to commerce. With the unwavering support of her businessman father, she went on to complete an MBA before setting her sights on the Civil Services. Her dedication paid off when she secured the 125th rank in her first attempt, joining the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). However, her aspirations didn’t stop there. During her IRS training, she reappeared for the exam and achieved an exceptional 19th rank, fulfilling her dream of becoming an IAS officer—the first in her family to do so.
“You must listen to your inner voice,” DC Mittal told the students. “Choose your goal with clarity and pursue it with unwavering conviction. Nothing is impossible.”
The interactive session, initially scheduled for just 30 minutes, extended to over 90 minutes as students eagerly shared their dreams and sought guidance. When student Guneet asked how to build self-confidence, the DC invited her to the stage and encouraged her to speak, boosting her morale. Guneet then shared her goal of becoming a Chartered Accountant with confidence.
Students like Harmeet and Simran expressed aspirations to enter the medical field, while others, including Rajinder, Mohit Singh, and Mohit Rawat, felt inspired to explore commerce after hearing about the DC’s journey.
DC Mittal promised to return for monthly mentoring sessions, encouraging students to come prepared with questions and goals. “I am more than happy to be a mentor to such bright students,” she said, reflecting on the nostalgic experience. “I’ll do my best to address every query they have.”
She also thanked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for the opportunity to mentor the School of Eminence students and asked DEO Ginni Duggal and Principal Lovish Chawla to prepare a list of possible support initiatives—seeking the help of community members to further uplift these meritorious students.
The visit concluded with a renewed sense of hope and inspiration among the students, who now look forward to more such engaging and empowering sessions with their new mentor.
