Jammu, 23 April (H.S.): The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the New School Building of Swami Pranavanand Vidyamandir in Panjgrain, Nagrota. The School is run by Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a renowned socio-cultural and philanthropic organisation. Bharat Sevashram Sangh started pre-primary to Class 8 education here in 2014 under ‘Har Ghar Shiksha’. Over half the students are from poor families; they have illuminated countless lives.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that new higher secondary building and skill infrastructure will ensure disadvantaged students get quality education.

“Once all the floors of building are complete, it will serve more than 1,500 students transform thousands of lives. With future residential facilities for 100 boys, 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 called upon students and teachers to contribute to nation-building and adapt classrooms to today’s changing global landscape, positioning India as the world’s leading knowledge economy.

“We must strengthen cultural awareness in students, as unity in diversity defines global society. Promote communication skills for clear expression, enabling the new generation to improve lives, uphold democratic values, and foster collaboration for a prosperous J&K,” the Lieutenant Governor 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 Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) and emphasised that the policy is a potent tool to meet national needs, boost societal capacity, and accelerate economic growth.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar