An Alumnus Returns: The Remarkable Journey of Manoj Mehra

From the Himalayan school to High court and back

The quiet, panoramic beauty of Chaukori, Uttarakhand, where Himalaya Inter College (HIC) stands, often cultivates a unique kind of individual—one who honors tradition while eagerly embracing change. Manoj Mehra, an HIC alumnus who completed his Intermediate studies in 2015, embodies this spirit perfectly. His career path is not a straight line but a fascinating, multi-faceted journey that has taken him from the workshops of automobile engineering to the halls of the High Court, only to bring him back to the very school HIC, where his education began.

Manoj’s educational background laid the groundwork for his future versatility. He possesses a strong technical inclination, rooted in his favorite subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Maths—which led him to a Diploma in Automobile Engineering from a vocational college in Bhopal. Demonstrating a flair for practical skills, he later augmented this technical base with a Computer Master Application course from Lucknow and secured valuable industrial training at Subros India Pvt. Ltd. This pursuit of hands-on learning, further evidenced by his participation in the Eco-Kart event, shows a keen mind constantly seeking actionable knowledge.

Manoj’s professional experience is perhaps the most defining feature of his adaptability. His roles span three distinct economic sectors: education, technology, and law. He began in administration as an office clerk at Mallikarjun School. He then moved to the fast-paced world of technology, working for six months with the EdTech platform, Textbook.

Perhaps the most unexpected turn was his two-year tenure as a clerk with an advocate at the High Court of Uttarakhand in Nainital. This period provided a deep, real-world understanding of the judicial system and governance—a world away from engine components and software platforms. These diverse experiences have equipped him with a rare blend of administrative discipline, technical insight, and legal awareness.

Today, Manoj has returned to his roots, serving as an instructor of Young Tinkers Space (YTS) initiative. YTS is a practical hands-on training program for students at HIC, Chaukori, which is being supported by Himalayan Education Foundation and India Development Agency (IDA). Simultaneously, he is building a parallel career as a Motor Insurance Agent with Girnar Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd., a venture he is determined to grow to the highest level alongside his commitment to teaching.

Manoj’s vision for his future is both grounded and cutting-edge. His ideal career, he says, must offer long-term stability and satisfaction by allowing him to “use my strengths, keep learning new things, and grow.” He is determined to elevate his skills in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), viewing it as the critical competency for future success.

This future focus informs the key advice he offers HIC’s current students: “Focus not only on Academics, equally important is to learn various skills alongside it. And make your career AI proof.”

Living in Chaukori, Manoj remains intimately connected to his native village and its challenges. He appreciates the quiet, motivational environment of the hill country where he grew up—a contrast to the “better facilities, faster services, and more opportunities” he enjoys in city living.

He highlights pressing issues facing his community, including population-related increment causing environmental strain, and underlying social challenges like casteism. Crucially, he identifies two specific needs for his village: the long-pending fixed registration of land and addressing the severe water scarcity. True to his commitment, he states his desire to contribute in “every field where our village is facing an issue.”

Manoj Mehra’s journey is an inspirational story of resilience and adaptability. From the cool, peaceful climate of HIC, he has cultivated a life defined by continuous learning, professional courage, and a strong sense of duty to his home, proving that true growth comes from grounding yourself in the past while striving relentlessly towards the future. HEF wishes Manoj a happy and successful life.