Amir Iqbal Khan
Bhadarwah, July 06: In a major push towards fostering emotional resilience and holistic development on campus, the Bhaderwah Campus of the University of Jammu (JU) in collaboration with The Prem Rawat Foundation, on Sunday inaugurated a three-day Peace Education Program (PEP).
The initiative aims to help students and faculty members navigate modern-day challenges like digital burnout, academic stress and mental anxiety by tapping into their inner strengths.
Inaugurating the session virtually as the Chief Guest, Professor Rahul Gupta, Rector of the Bhaderwah Campus stressed that modern education must transcend traditional textbook learning to shape empathetic and socially responsible citizens.
"In today’s fast-paced world, education cannot just be about degrees. We need to nurture emotionally resilient and ethically conscious individuals," Prof. Gupta said.
He added that the collaboration aligns seamlessly with the core vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which heavily advocates for value based holistic education.
Speaking at the event, Academic Coordinator Dr. Kuljit Singh highlighted the urgent need for reflective spaces in higher education, pointing out that today's youth are increasingly vulnerable to external pressures.
"Our students are dealing with an unprecedented amount of anxiety, uncertainty and digital overload," Dr. Singh noted. "Programmes like this are not a luxury; they are a necessity. They provide our academic community with the practical tools required to cultivate mental clarity and lead balanced lives."
Echoing his thoughts, Poonam Sherawat, Founder of The Prem Rawat Foundation elaborated on the global success of the seminar. She explained how the PEP curriculum has empowered millions worldwide to rediscover their inherent strengths and live more fulfilling and peaceful lives.
Over the course of three days, participants including students, non-teaching staff and prominent faculty members including Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Umesh Choudhary, Dr. Rohit Bhagat and Dr. Neeraj Sharma will engage in a series of Interactive video presentations, guided reflection modules and Open floor discussions.
The curriculum focuses on exploring essential life themes such as Inner Strength, Self-awareness, Dignity, Choice, Hope and Contentment featuring heavily from the talks of renowned peace educator Dr. Prem Rawat.
Organizers emphasized that the workshop isn't just designed for students managing exam stress, but also for educators. By helping teachers reconnect with themselves, the program aims to bring greater compassion, presence and balance back into the classrooms.
The inaugural session's proceedings were conducted by Arif Haleem Khateeb, External Relations Officer while Dr. Mohammad Avias presented the formal vote of thanks.
