NEP potent tool to meet national needs, accelerate economic growth: LG Sinha

Calls on teachers to promote communication skills for enabling new generation to improve lives

Jammu: Terming National Education Policy (NEP) as a potent tool to meet national needs, boost societal capacity, and accelerate economic growth, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday called on students to blend science with values for progress.

Speaking at an inaugural function of the New School Building of Swami Pranavanand Vidyamandir in Panjgrain, Nagrota, LG Sinha, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “To bridge rural-urban and regional-social gaps, NEP is a powerful tool, societal asset, and reliable partner for meritorious students. India will emerge as a robust knowledge economy, nurturing generations with scientific temper, moral strength, cultural values, skills, and a spirit of service and sacrifice.”

He said a student’s view of the external world depends on self-perception, shaped by experiences. “True education balances both, equipping students with knowledge and skills for outer world, plus self-awareness and emotional resilience for inner world. This holistic approach is every school’s core duty.

Every student must blend science and values for progress. NEP measures guarantee Viksit Bharat; for the first time in decades, our talented children, teens, and youth are policy priorities,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Pertinently, Swami Pranavanand Vidyamandir in Panjgrain, Nagrota is run by Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a renowned socio-cultural and philanthropic organisation. Bharat Sevashram Sangh started pre-primary to Class 8 education here in 2014 under ‘Har Ghar Shiksha’. Over half the students are from poor families; they have illuminated countless lives.

The Lieutenant Governor said that new higher secondary building and skill infrastructure will ensure disadvantaged students get quality education.

“Once all the floors of building are complete, it will serve more than 1,500 students transform thousands of lives. With future residential facilities for 100 boys, local economy will get a boost, backward areas will be transformed, and society will advance with new confidence,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

LG Sinha called upon students and teachers to contribute to nation-building and adapt classrooms to today’s changing global landscape, positioning India as the world’s leading knowledge economy.

“We must strengthen cultural awareness in students, as unity in diversity defines global society. Promote communication skills for clear expression, enabling the new generation to improve lives, uphold democratic values, and foster collaboration for a prosperous J&K,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that every student talented in art, craft, music, or entrepreneurship deserves equal respect and opportunity.

“Teachers must recognize that education focused solely on marks and narrow academics, sidelining art, sports, and skills, is unfit for the future. We must prepare students for irreplaceable human capacities like creativity, critical thinking, moral decision-making, collaboration, and lifelong learning which no machine can replace,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said the world is changing rapidly and unlike the stable careers in the past, professional workforce requires continuous learning, skilling and upskilling.

“We are at a threshold where AI and automation is transforming industries, offices, hospitals, and schools and our human resource need to be a step ahead,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The initiative of Bharat Sevashram Sangha is supported by Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and other donors.

Srimat Swami Biswatmanandaji Maharaj General Secretary, Bharat Sevashram Sangha; Srimat Swami Ambarishanandaji Maharaj, Joint Secretary, and senior sanyasins of Bharat Sevashrasm Sangha; and senior officials were present.

Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Ms Devyani Rana, Member of Legislative Assembly from Nagrota; Dr Nirmal Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister; Rashmi Govil, Director HR, Indian Oil Corporation Limited; Vilas Zode, Executive Director-HR, Hindustan Petroleum; Chander Mohan Gupta, former Mayor JMC and other prominent citizens also attended the inaugural ceremony—(KNO)

J&K set to spread red carpet for International Film Festival this year

Jammu, Apr 23: In a significant initiative to promote cinema, culture, and tourism, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir has initiated plans to host a prestigious international film festival through the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR).

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, which was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism; Commissioner Secretary, Information; Director, Information & Public Relations, and other senior officers.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the Information Department to begin preparations for this maiden film festival in the Union Territory. He emphasized the need for a professionally managed event of national stature, drawing parallels with the International Film Festival of India held in Goa.

To ensure seamless execution, it was decided that a dedicated committee will be constituted at the earliest to oversee all arrangements related to the festival. The committee will be responsible for planning, coordination, and overall supervision to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the event.

The Chief Secretary further instructed that a competent and experienced agency be identified and engaged for efficient management of the festival. He stressed the importance of exploring best practices by studying similar events organized across the country.

Underscoring the importance of adhering to timelines, he directed that the process be initiated promptly, with the issuance of the work order to the selected agency targeted before the end of May.

The Commissioner Secretary, Information, while addressing logistical and financial aspects, informed that the National Film Development Corporation of India has indicated reasonable financial requirements for organizing the event. She added that the Department has already undertaken the necessary groundwork and is well-prepared to ensure its success.

The proposed festival is envisaged to be held after the conclusion of the annual Amarnath Yatra, with final dates to be decided by the concerned department.

Highlighting the importance of inclusive development and tourism promotion, it was also decided that the festival will not be confined to Srinagar alone. Film screenings and related events will be organized across multiple scenic locations, including Bhaderwah, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Jammu, thereby boosting both emerging and established tourist destinations.

This initiative marks a major step towards positioning Jammu & Kashmir as a vibrant hub for film tourism and cultural engagement at the national level—(KNO)

Meity notifies online gaming rules; norms to come into effect on May 1

New Delhi, Apr 22: The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on Wednesday notified the much-awaited rules providing the procedural framework to operationalise the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which will also facilitate the creation of an online gaming authority.

Most online games – if they are not real money games, which are already and explicitly banned under the provisions – will not mandatorily need to be registered or determined, IT Secretary S Krishnan said.

Oversight will be triggered only in certain circumstances.

Esports, however, will require mandatory registration as specified in the parent Act.

“…We wanted to, as far as possible, keep this entire thing as regulation-light as possible. Most games, which are not money games, should be able to operate with no obligation to necessarily either be determined or registered. So that entire process is optional,” he said.

“We are not obligating anybody to apply to determine whether it is an online money game, or online social game, or esports.”

That said, such ‘determination’ will be triggered in three situations.

The first trigger is where it is done suo moto by the authority, and the second is where it involves esports games.

“And third, the central government may notify any specific category of social games, which, as of now, we have not notified anything specifically,” Krishnan said.

The rules have also explicitly defined user safety features, Krishnan said.

The act itself bans online real money gaming, while promoting esports and online social gaming in India.

The ministry had invited feedback on these rules in October 2025 and received 2,500 inputs from stakeholders.–(PTI)