Jammu: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Sunday called for integrating India’s ancient knowledge traditions with modern scientific understanding to address the growing challenges of climate change.
The country’s ancient scriptures embody a deep respect for nature and offer valuable insights into environmental protection, Sinha said while addressing the foundation day celebrations of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Annual Day of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul at Katra in Reasi district, an official press release informed.
Appreciating the initiatives undertaken by the Shrine Board to enhance convenience, safety, and facilities for devotees, the LG said these achievements reflect dedication, discipline, and the spirit of service, the intrinsic qualities of ‘Sanatan’ culture.
Addressing the students of the Gurukul, Sinha emphasised the importance of curiosity in learning.
“Curiosity is the first lamp of knowledge. In our tradition, asking questions has never been regarded as a weakness. The Upanishadic tradition is one of dialogue, reflection, and experience. Teachers should impart not only knowledge but also values and Samskara to students,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of balancing values and science, the LG said, “Science gives us speed, while values give us direction, and the balance between speed and direction is true progress.”
“The journey of artificial intelligence and spirituality should proceed together. Our objective should be to strengthen our roots through values and give students new wings through science. I am pleased that the Gurukul has included modern subjects, particularly science and computer technology, as part of its educational system,” he said.
The LG urged the Gurukul and Shrine Board to make environmental consciousness a way of life.
He called for initiatives in water conservation, energy conservation, tree plantation, and cleanliness, making the institutions living examples of sustainable development.
“Our ancient scriptures reflect deep respect for nature. The Prithvi Sukta of the Atharvaveda expresses a spirit of gratitude towards the Earth and a commitment to its protection. At a time when we are confronting the challenges of climate change, we need to study and understand our knowledge traditions along with modern scientific understanding,” Sinha said.
He proposed three initiatives for the Gurukul, including a Values and Science Innovation Centre to create dialogue between Indian knowledge traditions and modern Science, a service and society campaign to connect students with communities through service activities like cleanliness, digital literacy, and environmental protection and future skills and ethical technology to prepare students for emerging technologies with responsibility and ethics.
“I have full confidence that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul will, in the years ahead, emerge as a centre of education where tradition and modernity enrich one another, and where students become aware, sensitive, and virtuous citizens. Knowledge is complete only when it is accompanied by compassion, humility, and a sense of responsibility towards humanity.
“May Mata Vaishno Devi bless us all with strength, wisdom, and the spirit of service, and may she bless India to continue moving forward on the path of knowledge, compassion, and progress,” the LG said.
… felicitates officials, service providers, other stakeholders for successful Amarnath Yatra
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha felicitated officers of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Civil administration, Army, CAPFs, J&K Police, BRO, medical professionals, service providers, and other stakeholders for successful conduct of Amarnath Yatra-2026, an official press release informed Sunday.
He said pilgrimage is a celebration of the collective resolve that transforms hardships into duty, challenges into opportunities, and service into a form of spiritual practice.
Addressing the gathering, the LG expressed gratitude to the officers, security personnel, sanitation workers, pony operators, pithu bearers, palanquin carriers, langar volunteers and medical staff who ensured a smooth, secure and dignified Yatra despite difficult terrain and adverse weather. He said the achievement was not the success of any single institution or department but of “Team Jammu Kashmir” as a whole.
It is pertinent to mention that the yatra was conducted over 57 days, from 3 July to 28 August 2026. Adverse weather posed serious challenges for more than 10 days and approximately 4.80 lakh devotees had darshan of Baba Barfani.
About 82 percent of pilgrims completed darshan within the first 20 days; 95 percent within the first month. 54,000 service providers were registered, including 31,000 pony operators, pithu bearers and palanquin carriers; 6,400 tent and shop operators; and 7,700 langar volunteers, the press release said.
It said around 1.87 lakh pilgrims availed palanquin and pony services and 93 medical facilities were set up along the route, with 595 clinical beds and 26 oxygen booths. A total 1,430 doctors and nursing personnel were on round-the-clock duty, supported by 48 ambulances. 7,900 toilets were installed and maintained by 7,900 sanitation workers as part of a zero-waste Yatra initiative.
Aadhaar-based registration helped address the challenge of duplicate registrations. Real-time monitoring was ensured through twice-daily coordination meetings (3 a.m. and 8 p.m.) led by Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, CEO of the Shrine Board and the Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, with nodal officers, police, Divisional Commissioners and camp officers.
The LG said the sacred yatra reflects India’s Sanatan tradition and its ethos of humanity, coexistence and collective service. He noted that pilgrims from across the country returned home carrying not just a religious experience, but also the message of the region’s culture and hospitality.
The LG thanked civil society groups, political parties and religious leaders who provided all the support to the yatra, and reaffirmed that the discipline, energy and coordination shown during the pilgrimage should now become an enduring part of Jammu Kashmir’s development ethos going forward.
“I am confident that every citizen of Jammu Kashmir fulfilled their moral responsibility towards this yatra, directly or indirectly, and elevated the rich cultural tradition of UT before the entire country.
“The sacred yatra of Baba Barfani has placed a clear inspiration before all stakeholders and the public that work is accomplished not by wishes alone, but by sustained effort. Through your own efforts, you have demonstrated that when resolve is collective, leadership is clear, arrangements are robust, and the spirit of service is paramount, no goal remains impossible,” the LG said.
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