Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Mar 15: The 12th meeting of the Governing Council for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, Charan Paduka, Katra was held at the Gurukul Complex here today in which a number of important decisions were taken for the future growth of this institution as a centre of excellence.
Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, who is also Member of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Chairman of the Governing Council for Gurukul, chaired the meeting. Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Prof. Yugal Kishore Mishra; Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri; Neeraj Gupta, Chief Accounts Officer of the Shrine Board; Anil Sharma, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board and Administrator of Gurukul; Gopal Dass Sharma, Head Pujari, Bhawan; and Bodh Raj, former Administrator of Gurukul participated in the meeting.
Dr. Bloeria and other Members of the Governing Council expressed satisfaction at the functioning of the Gurukul, which was established by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in 2010, and emphasised the need for making continuing endeavours to develop it as a centre of excellence.
While discussing in detail various agenda items, the Governing Council decided to establish a hi-tech Language Lab at the Gurukul for teaching of Sanskrit, Hindi and English by utilising modern techniques and technology. The Lab is envisaged to accommodate 24 students at a time and would be fully equipped with LCDs, Computer systems, required software etc.
The meeting reviewed the headway made on the construction of 4 additional classrooms in the existing complex of the Gurukul which would be completed by July, 2014. Further, the Council discussed the architectural designs of the proposed students’ hostel and residential accommodation for Acharyas and staff to be constructed under Phase-II of the Project. Dr. Bloeria emphasised need for putting in place necessary infrastructure considering the future intake of students for “Shastri” course in a time bound manner.
Dr. Bhandari, CEO of the Shrine Board, informed that after conducting written test, interview and counseling, 25 students have been selected for admission to class 6th in the Gurukul for the academic session 2014-15. He added that the Shrine Board had organised specially designed training sessions for the students hailing from Purana Daroor and belonging to erstwhile Baridar families to prepare them for the entrance test for admission to Gurukul, and that 5 such students have got selected for admission.
The meeting decided on the schedule for organizing 4 refresher courses during the following year meant to sharpen skills of Pandits/Pujaris from the region and those serving in the Board.
Decisions for welfare of the students and their all round development and for strengthening the functioning of this institution were taken.
Arrangements for celebration of the Annual Day function of Gurukul which is scheduled to be held on 30th August were also discussed at length.
Follow our WhatsApp channel