SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated the new school building of Swami Pranavanand Vidyamandir at Panjgrain in Nagrota, asserting that strengthened educational and skill infrastructure will expand access to quality education for disadvantaged students and help transform backward areas.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration, the Lieutenant Governor said the new higher secondary building and proposed skill infrastructure would benefit underprivileged students and, once fully completed, the institution would cater to more than 1,500 students.
He said the proposed residential facility for 100 boys would not only support education but also boost the local economy and contribute to the development of the region.
The school, run by Bharat Sevashram Sangha under its ‘Har Ghar Shiksha’ initiative since 2014, provides education from pre-primary to Class 8, with over half of its students belonging to economically weaker families.
Calling upon students and teachers to contribute to nation-building, Sinha stressed the need to align classrooms with changing global demands and prepare youth for India’s emergence as a leading knowledge economy.
He emphasized promoting cultural awareness, communication skills, democratic values and collaboration among students, saying education must go beyond academics and marks to include art, sports, skills and moral development.
Highlighting the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on the workforce, the Lieutenant Governor said continuous learning, skilling and upskilling were essential for preparing human resources for future challenges.
He also underscored the importance of the National Education Policy (NEP), describing it as a powerful instrument to bridge rural-urban and social gaps, enhance societal capacity and accelerate economic growth.
Sinha said true education must combine scientific temper, moral values, emotional resilience and practical skills, adding that NEP reforms place children and youth at the centre of national development.
The Lieutenant Governor also stressed nurturing creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and lifelong learning, saying these human capacities remain irreplaceable.
The initiative is supported by Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and other donors.
Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana, former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, senior officials of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, representatives of Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum, and other dignitaries were present at the inaugural ceremony.
