Jammu – November 6: Underlining that the quintessential purpose of education reaches far beyond exam scores and academic transcripts, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asserted that true education lies in nurturing empathetic, morally grounded, and responsible human beings. Speaking at the annual ‘Honour & Excellence 2026’ awards ceremony hosted by the Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar Education Society (DJSES) at the Convention Centre in Jammu, the Chief Minister celebrated youth achievement while outlining a transformative vision for education across Jammu and Kashmir.
The ceremony recognized meritorious students who delivered stellar performances in the Class X and Class XII board examinations, felicitated veteran faculty and administrative staff marking 25 years of dedicated service, and honoured prominent alumni whose societal contributions inspire current batches. The society’s schools recorded a stellar 99 percent overall pass rate across the board examinations during the 2025–26 academic term.
Reminiscing about his own early school days at Burn Hall School in Srinagar, where he studied up to Class 5, Omar Abdullah shared affectionate memories of his formative years, paying tribute to the institution’s lasting influence on discipline and character formation. He lauded the Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar Education Society for its invaluable, decades-long stewardship in the education landscape, highlighting that the organization operates 24 institutions across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, educating roughly 28,000 students and providing employment to around 1,600 personnel.
The Chief Minister placed strong emphasis on fostering an environment of fearless questioning and intellectual curiosity among students. Encouraging pupils to remain inquisitive and interrogate both the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of their surroundings, he observed, “There are no stupid questions; there are only stupid answers.” He noted that Jammu and Kashmir needs a dynamic younger generation equipped with the courage to challenge outdated practices, critically assess societal challenges, and pioneer positive change.
Addressing the rapid advent of modern digital tools, Omar Abdullah advised students to cultivate consistent reading habits and engage with Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethically and responsibly. He stressed that artificial intelligence and technology must serve as powerful instruments to broaden horizons and enhance understanding, rather than becoming crutches that erode independent effort, analytical depth, and intellectual rigour.
Reminding the audience that kindness and humanity are the ultimate benchmarks of success, the Chief Minister urged students to place compassion at the heart of their aspirations. “Make yourself into that sort of person that when your future is being written, the Almighty will ask you what it is you want to do. We just have to be good people, good human beings, good to each other. Everything else will take care of itself,” Abdullah remarked.
Minister for Education Shamim Firdous also addressed the gathering, recalling the historic contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in shaping India’s modern educational foundations, alongside the visionary reforms pioneered by former Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in the region. She urged educational institutions to continue championing these foundational values. The event was attended by Rt. Rev. Ivan Pereira, Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar and President of DJSES, Vice President Rev. Fr. Sebastian Nagathunkal, alongside senior society dignitaries and educators.
Published by True Roots Media