Srinagar, Aug 30: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday addressed the Foundation Day celebrations of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Annual Day of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, praising the Shrine Board for its efforts to improve convenience, safety and facilities for pilgrims.
Addressing students of the Gurukul, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the importance of curiosity, dialogue and values in education. He said teachers should impart not only knowledge but also values and Samskara to students.
“Curiosity is the first lamp of knowledge,” Sinha said, highlighting the Upanishadic tradition of learning through questions, reflection and experience.
Emphasising the need to balance modern science with traditional values, he said science provides speed while values provide direction, and true progress lies in maintaining a balance between the two.
Sinha welcomed the Gurukul’s inclusion of modern subjects such as science and computer technology and said artificial intelligence and spirituality should progress together.
He also urged the Shrine Board and Gurukul to make environmental consciousness a way of life by promoting water and energy conservation, tree plantation and cleanliness.
The Lieutenant Governor proposed three initiatives for the Gurukul— a Values and Science Innovation Centre, a Service and Society campaign, and a Future Skills and Ethical Technology programme.
He expressed confidence that the Gurukul would emerge as a centre where tradition and modernity complement each other and students develop into compassionate, responsible and virtuous citizens.
Senior members and officials of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, faculty members, parents and students of the Gurukul attended the celebrations.
