Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner of Higher Education Department, Shantmanu, today flagged off the innovative outreach initiative ‘SCERT on Wheels’ from the Divisional Office of State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Bemina.
Shantmanu, who is Director SCERT, inaugurated a daylong model exhibition titled “Rajya Stariya Bal Vaigyanik Pradarshani (RSBVP) 2024–25”. He also chaired a seminar on “Millets for Sustainable Future and Health” held at the SCERT auditorium.
Organised by the SCERT, J&K, under the aegis of the 52nd RBVP sponsored by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, the event marked a significant step towards promoting the scientific temperament and innovation among the students.
The overarching theme of the programme was “Science and Technology for Sustainable Future”, with sub-themes including: Food, Health and Hygiene Transport and Communication, Mathematical Modelling and Computational Thinking, Natural Farming, Disaster Management, Waste Management and Resource Management.
Celebrating five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, SCERT’s Kashmir Division launched ‘SCERT on Wheels’ as a grassroots outreach programme aimed at strengthening awareness, enhancing community engagement and reinforcing SCERT’s field-connected identity.
The initiative brings SCERT’s services, mission and messages directly to schools and communities, demystifying policies and showcasing practices. Addressing the seminar, Shantmanu expressed heartfelt appreciation to the organisers for curating such impactful and community-driven initiatives.
He also interacted with the students and inspected a range of scientific models developed by the student participants from various districts. “I am highly impressed with the remarkable creativity and innovation displayed by the students.
The models showcased today reflect a deep understanding of critical issues and a promising future led by young minds,” he stated. Shantmanu lauded RSBVP as a platform brimming with talent and praised the teachers for guiding and mentoring the students with dedication and insight.
“There is absolutely no doubt that RSBVP is a platform for innovation promotion and the educators here are playing a crucial role in shaping young thinkers,” he added. Highlighting the importance of intellectual and ethical growth, he noted, “Two things define a person, his thoughts and his conduct.
Thoughts shape our perception and vision, while conduct determines how we translate those thoughts into action. Both are essential in building a character and purpose.” He further reflected on the concept of Navachar (innovation), calling it a “fresh way of thinking and reformed conduct that brings about positive change and offers a new direction to the world.”
He urged the educators to continue nurturing innovative thinking and collaborative learning in schools. He emphasized that such creativity should be acknowledged and rewarded. On the occasion, the Additional Chief Secretary also released a compendium titled “Innovative Brilliance”, highlighting student-crafted designs and projects.
Secretary BOSE, Sheikh Ghulam Hassan, Joint Director JKSCERT, Syed Shabir, and other dignitaries also spoke at the event. Several professors and mentors were felicitated for their outstanding contributions in the field of education.
The organisers announced that the students qualifying at this level will represent Jammu & Kashmir at the National Level Science Exhibition and Seminar.