Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today that there was a time when jobs were sold in Jammu and Kashmir but now that time has gone and only merit and ability of youth will matter even as he announced that all three exams of Sub Inspectors in Jammu and Kashmir Police, Financial Accounts Assistants (FAAs) and JE Civil which were recently cancelled due to irregularities will be held in the month of OctoberHe had a stern warning for those who tried to play with career of youth by indulging in irregularities in the exams saying that they will not be spared and stern action will be taken against them under law.
Sinha was speaking at Annual Day Function of Gurukul and Foundation Day of Shrine Board at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) at Katra this afternoon.
“There was a time when jobs were sold in Jammu and Kashmir. Now those days are gone. Now, only merit and competence of youth matter. Everyone should understand this,” he said.
He was referring to cancellation of three written exams of Sub Inspectors in JKP, FAAs and JE Civil.
“We received complaints of irregularities in these examination. There were doubts among people’s minds. A high-level Committee was immediately constituted to examine (the irregularities). All three exams were cancelled and probe by the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has been ordered,” Sinha said.
He declared that those who tried to play with career of the youth won’t escape the law and strong action will be taken against them.
“Those involved (in leakage of examinations) won’t be spared. Law will take its own course against them,” he said.
However, the Lieutenant Governor said he realised the problems faced by the genuine candidates (due to cancellation of the examinations) but assured that those who have ability will clear the exams again. He announced that all three examinations will be held in the month of October.
“Those who wanted to get jobs by other means, their days are gone,” he asserted.
Describing cancellation of examinations as “tough decision,” the Lieutenant Governor said there can be no compromise with transparency (in the exams).
Saying that number of pilgrims visiting holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji was very less when Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) was constituted, he lauded then Governor Jagmohan for playing major role in constitution of Board and said now 8-9 lakh yatris are visiting the shrine every month.
Sinha also referred to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) and Jammu and Kashmir administration in New Delhi yesterday for construction of Inter Modal Station in Katra which will be a multi-model terminal with all advanced facilities of transport and will help yatris, locals and lead to development of Reasi.
Sinha said the administration is working on Spiritual Tourism Circuit involving religious tourist destinations of Purmandal, Utterbehni, Mansar, Surinsar and Shiv Khori for linking them with country’s religious circuit.
“This will also generate employment,” he added.
He also referred to new projects coming up at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine including Skywalk for better Crowd Management saying it will be completed in time in December.
“During last two years, many facilities have been generated for the pilgrims. Many more facilities and projects are coming up,” he said.
An official handout said: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the celebration of 37th Foundation day of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and 12th Annual day of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, Charan Paduka, Katra today at the Matrika Auditorium of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor laid the foundation stone of various projects of Shrine Board and Gurukul, including a new hostel for the expansion of Gurukul and accommodation facilities for Shrine Board’s employees at Ardhkuwari and Banganga.
Taking another significant welfare step for the employees of the Shrine Board, he announced hardship allowance for 1450 SMVDSB employees posted at Higher Altitude.
The Lt Governor also rolled out new RFID system for the convenience of the passengers. The system will ensure seamless access control with minimal hassle to devotees. For better crowd management and tracking of the Yatris, 29 counters and control rooms have been set up in Katra and verification counters have been set up at 7 locations on the track.
It was further informed that the work on Spiritual Theme Park will commence before the auspicious occasion of Navratras.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha congratulated all the Members, stakeholders and everyone associated with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul for the Foundation Day.
Observing that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul is the center of knowledge and wisdom, he said that the Gurukul is a perfect medium to develop the future leaders who will be well accustomed with the Modern, Traditional and Spiritual Education.
From the last 12 years, the Gurukul is paving the way for the strong spiritual-cultural foundation of J&K. The affiliation of Gurukul with Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi is an important step towards revival of Sanskrit in J&K and connecting students with science and spirituality, he added.
“At Gurukul, we must encourage original ideas among the students and nurture their mind so that they can learn higher values of life and dedicate themselves towards nation building. It should be our endeavor that necessary changes should be made in the syllabus as per the National Education Policy,” the Lt Governor said.
“In the last two years, we have tried to reshape the education system in J&K according to the National Education Policy. Work has been done to develop all the institutions from school to university level as centers of change in consciousness. Today our youth are giving priority to service to society along with personal aspiration and that is a notable transformation after a long time,” he added.
“We have launched several important initiatives in the last two years, including the flagship program ‘Student- Teacher Mentorship’ which is a revolutionary step towards enhancing learning outcomes by identifying the learning gaps. In Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul also, the teachers will get an opportunity to radically change their teaching method by assessing the needs, capability and interests of the students. It will also lead to commensurate changes to the syllabus to inculcate ideas based on future requirements,” he added.
The Lt Governor appreciated the efforts of the management for affiliation with the Central Sanskrit University and expansion of the Gurukul as far as Student intake is concerned.
As many as 18 projects for conservation of places with spiritual cultural importance have been started in Jammu, Kathua, Ramban, Reasi, Samba, Udhampur which were neglected for years. After waiting for seven decades, all these sites will be restored and the surrounding infrastructure will also be developed and comprehensive and holistic development of the entire area will be ensured, the Lt Governor further added.
Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, Member of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Chairman of the Governing Council observed that during a short span of 12 years since its establishment in 2010, the Gurukul has earned a name in imparting quality education in Sanskrit and other subjects and exuded confidence that very soon it will emerge as a centre of excellence.
Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, in his remarks acknowledging the unparalleled emotional connect with the Shrine lauded the achievements achieved so far and emphasised for the pleasant and hassle free experience of the visiting pilgrims.
Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB, in his welcome address highlighted the initiatives taken under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor for facilitation of pilgrims initiated in a very short period by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board like Mobile App, Home Delivery of Pooja Prasad / Panch Mewa Prasad, round the clock Call Centre for facilitation of yatris, installation of Hi-tech Video Walls, construction of Durga Bhawan, e-library, Yatri Queue Management (Sky walk), Underground Cabling Project and RFID Project.
He also thanked the Chief Secretary for extending full support to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board as and when required. He also briefed the gathering on the efforts being made for continuing improvements in the functioning of Gurukul.
Dr. Dhananjay Mishra, Principal of the Gurukul, presented Annual Report of the institution while students of the Gurukul staged an impressive Sanskrit play “Bharat Vijayam”, which was highly appreciated by the audience.
The Lt Governor felicitated the meritorious students who have excelled in academics and various other extra-curricular activities during the past one year.
The Lt Governor released a book “Gurukulodayam” tracing the foundation and evolution of Gurukul- an institute of Sanskrit Learning. He also inaugurated a Photo exhibition capturing Pilgrim Centric services and social support interventions of the Shrine Board since 1986.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also laid e-foundation of New Dinning cum Accommodation Complex at SMVD Gurukul and Nature Interpretation Centre & Seed Bank at Kunia Nursery, Panthal.
An impressive presentation of Bhagawati Stuti, Bhajan, culture program by the students were among the main highlights of the event.
Members of the Shrine Board:- Baleshwar Rai; Dr Ashok Bhan, Dr. Neelam Sareen, Suresh Kumar Sharma, Raghu K. Mehta; Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University Delhi; Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra Kumar Sinha, VC SMVDU and Dr. Sanjeev Jain, VC Central University Jammu were present on the occasion.
Vishwamurti Shastri, Director SMVD Gurukul; Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Babila Rakwal, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, besides students, faculty member and prominent citizens also attended the function to celebrate the foundation day of Shrine Board and Annual day of SMVD Gurukul.