Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday called upon students and teachers to contribute to nation-building and adapt classrooms to today’s changing global landscape, positioning India as a leading knowledge economy.
Speaking after inaugurating the new school building of Swami Pranavanand Vidyamandir in Panjgrain, Nagrota, the Lieutenant Governor said the new higher secondary building and skill infrastructure will ensure that disadvantaged students receive quality education.
The school is run by Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a renowned socio-cultural and philanthropic organisation.
The Sangha started pre-primary to Class 8 education here in 2014 under the ‘Har Ghar Shiksha’ initiative.
Over half of the students are from poor families, and the institution has illuminated countless lives.
“Once all the floors of the building are complete, it will serve more than 1,500 students and transform thousands of lives. With future residential facilities for 100 boys, the local economy will get a boost, backward areas will be transformed, and society will advance with new confidence,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised the importance of holistic education.
“We must strengthen cultural awareness in students, as unity in diversity defines global society. We should promote communication skills for clear expression, enabling the new generation to improve lives, uphold democratic values, and foster collaboration for a prosperous J&K,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that every student talented in art, craft, music, or entrepreneurship deserves equal respect and opportunity.
“Teachers must recognize that education focused solely on marks and narrow academics, sidelining art, sports, and skills, is unfit for the future. We must prepare students for irreplaceable human capacities like creativity, critical thinking, moral decision-making, collaboration, and lifelong learning which no machine can replace,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said the world is changing rapidly and unlike the stable careers in the past, professional workforce requires continuous learning, skilling and upskilling.
“We are at a threshold where AI and automation is transforming industries, offices, hospitals, and schools and our human resource need to be a step ahead,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The
He also highlighted the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), emphasising that the policy is a potent tool to meet national needs, boost societal capacity, and accelerate economic growth.
“To bridge rural-urban and regional-social gaps, NEP is a powerful tool, a societal asset, and a reliable partner for meritorious students. India will emerge as a robust knowledge economy, nurturing generations with scientific temper, moral strength, cultural values, skills, and a spirit of service and sacrifice,” he observed.
He added that a student’s view of the external world depends on self-perception shaped by experiences.
“True education balances both, equipping students with knowledge and skills for the outer world, along with self-awareness and emotional resilience for the inner world. This holistic approach is every school’s core duty.Every student must blend science and values for progress. NEP measures guarantee Viksit Bharat; for the first time in decades, our talented children, teens, and youth are policy priorities,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The initiative of Bharat Sevashram Sangha is supported by Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and other donors.
Srimat Swami Biswatmanandaji Maharaj General Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha; Srimat Swami Ambarishanandaji Maharaj, Joint Secretary, and senior sanyasins of Bharat Sevashrasm Sangha; and senior officials were present.
