Jammu, Apr 03: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasised the importance of ethics, values, and national identity in education, highlighting how these principles guide us toward the welfare of society and nation-building. He encouraged educational institutions to focus on developing personalities that blend compassion and innovation.
He was addressing the ‘Bharat Shiksha Summit’ today, organized by the Balaji Foundation at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, also graced the occasion.
In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor stressed that the primary goal of the National Education Policy 2020 is to transform students into active sources of knowledge rather than passive repositories of bookish information.
“The National Education Policy promotes creative imagination, ethical values, and a sense of determination to contribute to building an equitable, inclusive, and pluralistic society,” he added.
He introduced the concept of the Three ‘H’s—Head, Heart, and Heritage—to support this mission and restore the moral foundation of the education system.
“We need students who are not only proficient in algorithms and talented in their chosen fields but also sensitive to social issues and deeply committed to nation-building,” he said. “Our students should be selfless individuals, skilled researchers, writers, or artists, while staying connected to their roots. This perfect balance will transform students, educational institutions, and society as a whole.”
The Lieutenant Governor noted that the discussions at the Summit on key issues in education would explore challenges and opportunities, ultimately preparing a roadmap for the future of educational institutions.
“In the educational journey, students develop consciousness, and their moral values become sharper,” he remarked. “During this journey, students embrace life values such as compassion, peace, truth, love, harmony, and benevolence, gathering experiences that shape their knowledge. These physical, intellectual, and emotional experiences together foster a well-rounded education.”
He further emphasized the crucial role of teachers in integrating moral values with the skills needed in the modern world, nurturing both strong character and intellectual curiosity.
“Without groundbreaking inventions, moral values alone are insufficient. But without ethics and values, cutting-edge education and skills would be directionless,” the Lieutenant Governor explained. “Classrooms should be spaces for conversation, not monologues. Innovation and growth must be linked with ethical values and integrated into the curriculum.”
The Lieutenant Governor also advocated for encouraging hands-on, experiential, and project-based learning, urging that young minds be exposed to real-world challenges. “It is time to take education out of the lab and into the real world,” he asserted.
During an interactive session, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the educational reforms taking place in Jammu and Kashmir under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi over the past few years. He spoke about the innovative programs launched in the region to ensure inclusive and quality education for all.
“The talent pool in Jammu and Kashmir is now being provided better opportunities. Efforts have been made to promote multidisciplinary learning and skill development among youth,” he said. “We’ve also initiated campaigns to bring dropout students back to school. Through Mission Yuva, we’ve created a blueprint to foster an entrepreneurial culture at the college and university levels.”
He added, “Schools, colleges, and universities are functioning without disruption. The days of hartals, strikes, stone pelting, and bandhs are now a thing of the past. Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward with its full potential toward a brighter and more prosperous future.”
On this occasion, several prominent personalities and institutions were conferred with the Bharat Shiksha Samman for their invaluable contributions to the field of education.
The event was attended by distinguished figures such as Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament; Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities; Rajshri Rai, Chairperson of the Balaji Foundation, along with a large gathering of educationists, experts, institutional heads, teachers, and youth.
