KATRA, February 10: The 31st meeting of the Governing Council of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, Charan Paduka was held here today at Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra.
The meeting presided by Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, Member of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Chairman of the Governing Council for the Gurukul, was attended by Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board; Navneet Singh, Additional CEO; Prof Y.K. Mishra; Dr Jagdish Chander Mehra, Joint CEO, SMVDSB and Administrator of Gurukul; Mahesh Sharma, FA/Chief Accounts Officer; Gopal Dass Sharma, Head Pujari, Bhawan; Dr Dhananjay Mishra, Principal; and Dr. Devendra Rijal, Vice Principal of the Gurukul.
The Chairman and other Members of the Governing Council while expressing satisfaction at the functioning of the Gurukul emphasized the need for making continuing endeavours to develop it as a centre of excellence. The meeting also noted the outstanding achievements of the students of SMVD Gurukul in academics and co-curricular activities and participation of faculty and students for broadening their horizon at different Platforms, including in house events & those at State, Zonal as well as at National Level.
The Governing Council, while approving the annual budget of Gurukul for Financial Year 2023-24 also finalized the arrangements for organizing 3-day North Zone Youth Festival from 20th to 22nd of February in collaboration with Central Sanskrit University. The inaugural function will be held at the Spiritual Growth Centre of the Shrine Board at Katra. The events to be organised include Educational Short Film making, Rangoli, Painting Competition, cultural programmes, co-curricular activities besides, sports events in different categories and around 10 institutes from 5 states & UTs including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttarakhand, UP and JKUT, with a total of 350 students are expected to participate in the festival. The council observed that the festival shall provide a learning platform to the students of SMVD Gurukul to showcase their talent & skills from their counterparts of other institutes besides, serving as an important medium to spread joy, promote Sanskrit awareness and protect our traditional and cultural heritage.
The Governing Council observed that as per the new guidelines of NEP- 2020, the age criteria of the curricular and pedagogical structure has been reconfigured for the different stages of admission. In line, the age criteria for the applicants / students desirous of seeking admission in class 6th of SMVD Gurukul has been revised to 10-12 years from session 2023-24. Besides, to bring parity with the CSU in all respects, GC approved revision of the daily time table, weekly off and syllabus of SMVD Gurukul.
The Council also observed that planning and creation of Navgrah Vatika on Tarakote Marg not only helps students in adding to their knowledge of plants but is a very important source of energy if planted anywhere as these plants represent different planets of celestial forces. Besides, being on Yatra track the devotees who opt this Marg for reaching to Holy Shrine inhale clean air and boost their physical immunity with spiritual enlightenment.
GC also approved Internship programme for candidates obtaining Shastri degree from SMVD Gurukul and their engagement as Prashikshu in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for the contribution in the Pujan rituals besides engagement of Yoga expert in SMVD Gurukul for boosting physical and mental health of the students.
The Meeting also desired that alumni meet of the Gurukul should be planned to benefit from their skills and experience besides, to devise a roadmap for 5 years of the functioning of the SMVD Gurukul and way forward for developing this institution as a centre of excellence for providing top quality education to the students.
The Governing Council while releasing the Annual School Magazine “Brahmi” tracing the achievement and contribution of the students and faculty during the year appreciated the efforts stating that a wonderful platform has been given to these young students to showcase their talent as writers and express themselves into a conglomeration.
Earlier, Mahamandleshwar visited SMVD Gurukul and inspected the Construction Work-in-Progress of New Dinning cum Accommodation Complex. He also interacted with the students and faculty and enquired from them about their daily activities. Besides, the Mahamandleshwar felicitated Master Varun Sharma, student of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul for having secured first position in the entire University, in the annual examination of class 8th conducted in 2022 by Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyala, Varanasi. Mahamandleshwar, besides highlighting the importance of imparting sanskars in one’s life, asked the students to work hard to preserve their rich culture and achieve distinction in various fields in years to come. He congratulated the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, JK-UT who is also Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for nurturing such institutes which has kept alive the Vedic and Sanatan traditions in the modern era.