Katra, August 30, 2026-Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed the Foundation Day Celebration of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Annual Day of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, held at Katra, where he emphasised the need for a balance of values and science in education.
“Curiosity is the First Lamp of Knowledge”
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said that curiosity is the first lamp of knowledge, and that holistic education must go beyond academics to build character, humility, and compassion among students. He stressed that an education system rooted only in scientific temperament, without a corresponding grounding in values, would remain incomplete, just as a purely values-based system devoid of scientific inquiry would fail to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world.
Sinha, who serves as Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, urged those associated with the Gurukul to focus on sustainable development, climate consciousness, and ethical technology as core themes in shaping the institution’s future educational approach, reflecting a broader emphasis on preparing students to engage responsibly with pressing global challenges.
Proposals for the Gurukul’s Future
During his address, the Lieutenant Governor proposed the establishment of a Values & Science Innovation Centre at the Gurukul, aimed at fostering a learning environment where ethical grounding and scientific inquiry could be pursued in tandem. He also proposed a Service & Society Campaign, intended to instil a spirit of community service and social responsibility among students from an early stage of their education.
In addition, Sinha placed emphasis on the need for the Gurukul to focus on Future Skills, encouraging the institution to equip students with competencies aligned with emerging technological and economic trends, ensuring that graduates remain well-prepared to navigate a rapidly changing world while retaining the ethical and cultural grounding that the Gurukul has traditionally provided.
A Milestone Occasion
The event marked another milestone in the annual celebrations jointly held for the Shrine Board’s Foundation Day and the Gurukul’s Annual Day, an occasion that has, over the years, served as a platform to review the achievements of both institutions and to outline future priorities for their continued development. The Shrine Board, responsible for managing the affairs of the revered Vaishno Devi shrine, has in previous years used the occasion to announce welfare measures for its employees and infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving the pilgrim experience.
The Gurukul, meanwhile, has been recognised for its efforts to blend modern educational methods with traditional and Vedic learning, aiming to produce well-rounded students capable of contributing meaningfully to society while remaining rooted in cultural and ethical values.
Continuing Focus on Inclusive Development
The Lieutenant Governor’s remarks reflect his continued engagement with both the spiritual and educational dimensions of institutions associated with the Vaishno Devi shrine, an engagement that has, in the past, included initiatives ranging from infrastructure development for pilgrims to welfare measures for Shrine Board employees and academic support for Gurukul students.
Officials associated with the event noted that Sinha’s proposals for the Values & Science Innovation Centre, the Service & Society Campaign, and a renewed focus on Future Skills are expected to be taken up by the Gurukul’s management in the coming months as part of its efforts to further strengthen its academic and value-based offerings.
A Vision for Holistic Learning
As the Foundation Day and Annual Day celebrations concluded, the Lieutenant Governor’s address served as a reaffirmation of the broader vision guiding the Shrine Board and Gurukul — one that seeks to combine spiritual heritage, ethical values, and scientific and technological readiness to prepare students for the complexities of contemporary life while staying true to the institution’s founding principles.