Jammu, April 23 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha on Thursday asked teachers and students to adapt classrooms to the changing global landscape.

The L-G inaugurated the new school building of Swami Pranavanand Vidyamandir in Panjgrain locality of Jammu’s Nagrota.

The school is run by Bharat Sevashram Sangh, a renowned socio-cultural and philanthropic organisation.

Bharat Sevashram Sangh started pre-primary to Class 8 education here in 2014 under ‘Har Ghar Shiksha’.

More than half the students are from poor families who have illuminated countless lives.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, L-G Sinha 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.”

In his address, the L-G 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 Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He added that every student talented in art, craft, music, or entrepreneurship deserves equal respect and opportunity.

“Teachers must recognise 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 L-G 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,” he added.

He 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.

“To bridge rural-urban and regional-social gaps, NEP is a powerful tool, societal asset, and 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,” the L-G said.

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 outer world, plus self-awareness and emotional resilience for inner world. This holistic approach is every school’s core duty. Every student must blend science and values for progress. The NEP measures guarantee ‘Viksit Bharat’; for the first time in decades, our talented children, teens, and youth are policy priorities,” the L-G said.

The initiative of Bharat Sevashram Sangh is supported by Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and other donors.

Srimat Swami Biswatmanandaji Maharaj, Bharat Sevashram Sangh General Secretary; Srimat Swami Ambarishanandaji Maharaj, Joint Secretary; and senior sanyasins of Bharat Sevashrasm Sangh; and senior officials were present.

Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Devyani Rana, Member of Legislative Assembly from Nagrota; Nirmal Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister; Rashmi Govil, Director HR, Indian Oil Corporation Limited; Vilas Zode, Executive Director-HR, Hindustan Petroleum; Chander Mohan Gupta, former Jammu Municipal Corporation Mayor, and other prominent citizens also attended the inaugural ceremony.

–IANS

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