SPEECH OF HONOURABLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARI LAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF 14TH ALL INDIA CONFERENCE FOR PRINCIPALS OF BHAVANs SECONDARY AND SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT CHANDIGARH ON NOVEMBER 23, 2023

  • PRB
  • 2023-11-23 13:30

It gives me immense pleasure to be at the 14th All India Conference for Principals of Bhavan’s Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools.
I have been associated with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan for long---currently in the role of its Vice President and formerly, as Chairman, Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan Bhavan Nagpur Kendra.
Friends,
The success of our nation is intricately woven with the quality of education provided to our young minds. 
With the changing face of education worldwide, it becomes imperative for educational leaders such as the Principals of the institutions to converge, share insightful perspectives and collaboratively contribute to the ongoing advancement of education within the Bhavan fraternity and beyond.
It is genuinely heartening to witness Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan taking the lead in fostering an environment where educational leaders,  can harmoniously collaborate, innovate and collectively orchestrate efforts towards empowering the next generation. 
The theme chosen for this year’s conference “Navigating Change: Empowering Educational Visionaries”, resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities that educators face today. 
In the constantly changing realm of education, Principals assume a pivotal role as the catalysts for change within their schools. Their duty extends beyond mere adaptation; they are charged with actively guiding their institutions through the fluid transitions in the educational landscape.
Believe me, the effective transformation requires strong and dynamic leadership. A resourceful Institutional Head recognizes the need to begin with diagnosing the Correct Issues and Challenges.
In our journey towards educational excellence, transformative pillars stand tall in the form of the New Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). 
The NEP prioritizes holistic, multidisciplinary learning, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to nurture well rounded individuals.
Simultaneously, the NCF’s learner-centric approach fosters innovation and critical thinking, equipping students with essential skills for lifelong learning. 
Embracing these principles is vital to shaping an educational landscape aligned with national aspirations and preparing students for the complexities of the future.
As you engage is discussions during this Conference, let the think tanks explore the integration of progressive policies into our educational frameworks, ensuring a transformative and empowering experiences for our students. 
This event offers a unique opportunity for educational leaders to engage in dynamic conversations, learning from each other’s experiences, triumphs and challenges. 
The carefully curated lineup of speakers and panellists reflects a commitment to providing practical insights for Principals. 
I encourage each one of you to actively participate, engage in thoughtful discussions and take full advantage of this valuable opportunity to learn and grow. 
I hope this Conference will give you time to recharge and reflect on your leadership to position our schools as a role models for the rest of the schools in the country and even at the global level.
Before I conclude, I would like to impress upon all of you that as Principals of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, you should always keep in mind India’s core civilisational values.
Our classroom programmes must be ably supplemented with active participation in field activities, social awareness and community service initiatives. 
There is a dire need to inculcate the spirit of service in students from a young age.
Our schools should take the lead in meeting the moral challenges of our times, ensuring that our civilizational values of love for motherland, respect for women and elderly, truth and honesty in life, discipline and self-restraint in conduct, and responsibility in action are fully entrenched in the young minds, as visioned by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan’s founder Kulapati Shri KM Munshi Ji.
Besides, let us also strive to make their campuses eco-friendly and green . The schools should harness green and clean energy resources like solar and wind power to offset the pressure of pollution on the environment. We should harvest rain water, conserve and recycle the water to maximize its utility. I, myself initiated many mass tree plantation campaigns in our schools.
In the Bhagvad Gita, sharing of knowledge has been termed as: “Sarva Shrestha Punya”, the holiest of all blessings.
So I hope all of you here today, the principals of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan will not only benefit from the deliberations at the Conference but will also formulate a most pragmatic model to meet challenges of the times.
Let us navigate change, embrace transformative approaches, and collectively work for the betterment of education.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chandigarh Kendra, for hosting this event and providing a platform for educational leaders and visionaries to unite in a common pursuit.
My best wishes for the success of this Conference.
Thank you,
Jai Hind.