Jammu, April 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated a new school building for Swami Pranavanand Vidyamandir in Panjgrain, Nagrota. The institution, run by the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, provides education from pre-primary to Class 8 under its ‘Har Ghar Shiksha’ initiative, which began in 2014. A significant portion of the students come from underprivileged families.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the new higher secondary building and its associated skill infrastructure are expected to enhance the quality of education for disadvantaged students. Lieutenant Governor Sinha, addressing the gathering, stated that upon completion, the expanded facility will accommodate over 1,500 students. He further noted that the addition of residential facilities for 100 boys is anticipated to provide a boost to the local economy, contribute to the transformation of backward areas, and foster societal advancement.
During his address, the Lieutenant Governor urged students and teachers to actively participate in nation-building and to adapt educational practices to the evolving global landscape, with the aim of positioning India as a leading knowledge economy. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural awareness among students, highlighting that unity in diversity defines global society. The Lieutenant Governor also stressed the promotion of communication skills for clear expression, enabling the new generation to improve lives, uphold democratic values, and foster collaboration for a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that students demonstrating talent in art, craft, music, or entrepreneurship deserve equal respect and opportunities. He articulated that an education system focusing solely on marks and narrow academics, while neglecting art, sports, and skills, is not suitable for the future. Instead, he advocated for preparing students in areas of creativity, critical thinking, moral decision-making, collaboration, and lifelong learning – human capacities that cannot be replicated by machines.
Highlighting the rapid pace of global change, the Lieutenant Governor pointed out that contemporary professional workforces require continuous learning and upskilling, a departure from the stable career paths of the past. He noted that the advent of Artificial Intelligence and automation is transforming industries, offices, hospitals, and schools, necessitating that human resources remain a step ahead.
Furthermore, the Lieutenant Governor drew attention to the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), describing it as a potent tool for meeting national needs, enhancing societal capacity, and accelerating economic growth. He stated that the NEP serves as a vital instrument for bridging rural-urban and regional-social divides, acting as a societal asset and a reliable partner for meritorious students. He expressed confidence that India would emerge as a robust knowledge economy, cultivating generations with scientific temper, moral strength, cultural values, essential skills, and a spirit of service and sacrifice.
The Lieutenant Governor also elaborated on the holistic nature of education, explaining that a student’s perception of the external world is influenced by self-perception, which is shaped by experiences. He stressed that true education should balance both the development of knowledge and skills for the external world with self-awareness and emotional resilience for the internal world, deeming this a core duty of every educational institution. He concluded by stating that students must integrate science with values for progress, and that NEP measures are instrumental in achieving ‘Viksit Bharat,’ with a focus on ensuring that children, teens, and youth are policy priorities.
The initiative by Bharat Sevashram Sangha is reportedly supported by corporate entities including Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum, along with contributions from other donors. Present at the inaugural ceremony were Srimat Swami Biswatmanandaji Maharaj, General Secretary of Bharat Sevashram Sangha; Srimat Swami Ambarishanandaji Maharaj, Joint Secretary; senior sanyasins of the Sangha; and other officials. Notable attendees also included Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Devyani Rana, Member of the Legislative Assembly from Nagrota; Dr. Nirmal Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister; Ms. Rashmi Govil, Director HR, Indian Oil Corporation Limited; Vilas Zode, Executive Director-HR, Hindustan Petroleum; and Chander Mohan Gupta, former Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation, alongside other prominent citizens.
The Chenab Times News Desk