Today’s occasion is a celebration of that expansive nature of education—one that is not merely a means of acquiring knowledge, but the greatest force for shaping personality and giving a new direction to life. I view education as a lamp that illuminates the potential hidden within a person and inspires them to become a responsible citizen, said the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha. The Lt GovernorI extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the meritorious students, writers, and winners of the ‘Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions’ initiative; when teachers are empowered, students become self-confident. If schools are empowered, society and the nation will be strengthened. When education moves in the right direction, India and Jammu & Kashmir will advance towards a bright, secure, and prosperous future, LG added. This one-day capacity-building program is also aligned with the broader objective of the ‘Drug-Free Jammu & Kashmir’ campaign. Its objective is not merely to improve teaching methods, but also to protect our children from the challenges that today’s youth are facing. I believe that amidst the rising trend of substance abuse, mental stress, social pressure, the challenges of the digital world, and changing lifestyles, the role of schools and teachers has become far more important than ever before. And today, we have gathered here to reiterate the resolve to provide every teacher with such modern tools and training that they are not limited merely to the curriculum but are also able to shape the personalities of their students. And today, we have gathered here to reiterate the resolve to provide every teacher with such modern tools and training that they are not limited merely to the curriculum, but can also shape the students’ personalities and empower children to tackle challenges. Education succeeds in bringing about lasting change in society only when it transcends the pages of books and connects with life experiences. Many countries around the world have demonstrated that the greatest power of education lies not in examination results, but in its capacity to transform human lives. A few years ago, schools in Finland faced a major challenge: students’ interest in academics was steadily declining. To overcome this situation, leadership capabilities, communication skills, and life skills were accorded the same importance as the standard curriculum. As a result, within just a few years, Finland was able to rank among the world’s best education models. In our own country, too, there are countless such inspiring stories and many teachers who, despite limited resources, have fostered qualities like life skills and leadership in children—and this is the true power of education, LG stated. A dedicated teacher does not merely impart textbook knowledge; they transform a student’s life. The launch today of the ‘Seven Life Skills’ course, designed for students in classes 6 to 12, is a significant step in this direction. Social and emotional education has been integrated into these books in such a way that students will not only acquire subject-specific knowledge but also develop self-confidence, decision-making skills, self-discipline, a spirit of cooperation, tolerance, leadership qualities, and the ability to keep themselves away from evils like substance abuse. The Lieutenant Governor added that a new beginning is being made today; and this initiative will certainly prove helpful in translating the spirit of the National Education Policy into practice. This also marks the beginning of long-term collaboration between the government, teachers, parents, the industry, and society. With the prayer that school education in Jammu and Kashmir scales new heights in the days to come, and expressing heartfelt gratitude to all the friends present here, LG concluded his remarks.