Dehradun: Director General (Information) and Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) Vice-Chairman Banshidhar Tiwari has urged students not to confine themselves to academic achievements alone, but to build their lives on a foundation of knowledge, character, moral values and social responsibility in order to move towards holistic success.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the “Times Achievers 2026” ceremony, organised jointly by SBS University and The Times of India, held at the Nagar Nigam Town Hall Auditorium in Dehradun. The event felicitated meritorious students from various schools as well as institutions that have made notable contributions to the field of education, and was attended by a large gathering of educationists, institutional heads, parents and students.
Addressing the gathering, Tiwari said that success is never achieved overnight but is instead the result of sustained effort, a genuine inclination to keep learning, and strong life values. According to him, academic excellence is only one facet of success, while a fulfilling career, personal happiness and strong family values together give life its true meaning of success. He observed that students often measure achievement solely in terms of examination results and degrees, but a well-rounded life demands far more than that.
Tiwari advised students to look beyond marks and degrees and cultivate qualities such as honesty, discipline, patience, sensitivity and a sense of purpose in life. He said that success in one’s career opens up opportunities, but real and lasting satisfaction comes only from respecting family values and making a positive contribution to society. In his view, professional accomplishments and personal well-being are not separate pursuits but ought to grow together, reinforced by a value system rooted in integrity and empathy.
Speaking about the aspirations of a rapidly developing India, Tiwari said the country needs young people who combine professional excellence with ethical leadership, innovation and responsible citizenship. He noted that as India moves forward on its development journey, the role of youth extends beyond individual achievement to include a broader duty towards nation-building. He further appealed to students to remain humble and grateful even as they achieve success, cautioning that arrogance or complacency can often undo the very progress that hard work builds.
On the occasion, Tiwari lauded SBS University and The Times of India for organising the event, stating that initiatives such as “Times Achievers 2026” not only honour talented students but also inspire them to set higher goals and continue striving towards excellence. He said such platforms play an important role in motivating young achievers by giving public recognition to their hard work, while also encouraging other students to aspire to similar standards of accomplishment.
The “Times Achievers 2026” ceremony brought together meritorious students from a range of schools across the region, along with educational institutions recognised for their outstanding contribution to the field of education. The event served as a platform to celebrate academic excellence while also reinforcing the broader message that true achievement is measured not just by grades, but by the values and character that students carry forward into their lives.
Educationists and institutional heads present at the event echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that schools and universities today face the dual responsibility of preparing students academically while also nurturing them as responsible, empathetic individuals. Parents in attendance welcomed the recognition given to their children, noting that such events provide meaningful encouragement and motivation, especially at a stage when students are shaping their long-term goals and priorities.
The ceremony concluded with a call to both students and educational institutions to continue working towards an education system that values character alongside competence — one that produces not just high scorers, but well-rounded individuals equipped to contribute meaningfully to society. Officials associated with the event said that recognising achievement, while consistently reminding young minds of the importance of ethics and values, remains central to building a generation capable of leading the country responsibly in the years ahead.
With events like “Times Achievers 2026” gaining traction across cities, organisers hope that such initiatives will continue to encourage students to pursue excellence not merely as an academic goal, but as a broader life philosophy rooted in integrity, discipline and social responsibility.