The School Education Department on Monday felicitated meritorious students who excelled in the 2026 SSC and Intermediate Public Examinations at separate Shining Stars-2026 award ceremonies held in Alluri Sitarama Raju and Anakapalli districts. In ASR district, the programme was held at the S.R. Sankaran Auditorium in Kummariputtu, Paderu. Joint Collector Tirumani Sri Pooja inaugurated the event along with former Paderu MLA Giddi Eswari and other officials. Addressing students, Ms. Sri Pooja said sustained hard work, dedication and proper planning were the keys to success, while speakers urged students to remain consistent, develop alternative career plans and pursue emerging opportunities. Students from several mandals, including Paderu, Araku Valley, Chintapalli, G.K. Veedhi, Pedabayalu, Ananthagiri, Dumbriguda, G. Madugula, Koyyuru and Munchingiputtu, were honoured for securing top ranks. In Anakapalli, the awards were presented at Pentakota Convention Hall in the presence of district in-charge Minister Kollu Ravindra, Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu, Collector Vijaya Krishnan and legislators. Mr. Ravindra said the State government had allocated ₹8.5 crore towards cash incentives and awards for meritorious SSC and Intermediate students across …