: Minister for Health & Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Masood addressed the colourful Children’s Day celebrations at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir here.

The celebrations, organised by Directorate of School Education Kashmir in collaboration with Bharti Airtel Foundation and Pi Jam Foundation, saw an overwhelming participation of students from different higher educational institutions.

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Gania; CEO Bharti Airtel Foundation, CEO Pi Jam Foundation, Director School Education Kashmir, Principals, Chief Education Officers, Lecturers and teacher from across the valley were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister emphasized on the critical role that education plays in shaping the future of children. “Children are flowers of our garden and future of our Jammu and Kashmir is dependent on them”, Sakeena Masood said.

She urged the gathering, especially teachers to foster creativity and critical thinking in children, preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow. “Children are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but also the visionaries and innovators who will shape the futuristic society,” Sakeena Masood stated. “It is essential that we provide them with tools, opportunities and encouragement to dream big and pursue their passions”.

The Minister, in her address also commended the role of teachers in overall development of society. She urged them to imbibe human values among the students apart from regular education so that they can emerge as beacons of hope for the society.

She further underlined that the government will contribute immensely for the development of education sector as it forms the core sector for any developed society. “Our government is keen to introduce new initiatives in education sector to make it competent with education system of developed nations”, Sakeena said.

In his address, VC SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad remarked that teachers are nation builders and the students are future of our nation. He highlighted about the importance of equitable access to quality education for all children, irrespective of background for overall development of the society.

The VC on the occasion also outlined some remarkable achievements of varsity in last few years.

CEO, Bharti Airtel Foundation and CEO Pi Jam Foundation also spoke on the occasion. They enlightened the gathering about the role of their respective organisations in education sector.

On the occasion, the Minister also launched the Teacher Professional Development Program (The Teacher App) of Bharti Airtel Foundation. She also distributed the material for Tinkering spaces to various schools donated by Pi Jam Foundation.

The Minister, on the occasion, also felicitated the JKBOSE toppers of class 12 examination.