Handwara, Jan 8:

In a moment of pride for the medical fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Mohd Sarwar Mir, Head of Hospital Administration and Assistant Medical Superintendent at Government Medical College (GMC), Handwara, has been conferred the prestigious Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Nation Star Award.

The award has been bestowed by Welred Foundation, a Section 8 (Non-Profit) Company registered under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, in recognition of Dr. Mir’s outstanding performance, dedication, and notable contributions to research and hospital administration.

According to the official communication issued by the Foundation, the award acknowledges Dr. Mir’s perseverance, commitment to excellence, and his inspiring role in setting high standards of achievement in the healthcare sector. The Foundation lauded his professional integrity and sustained efforts toward strengthening public healthcare delivery.

Dr. Mir’s leadership at GMC Handwara has been instrumental in improving administrative efficiency and patient-centric services, earning him respect among peers and the wider medical community.

The recognition has been widely welcomed by colleagues and healthcare professionals, who have termed it a well-deserved honour and a source of inspiration for young doctors and administrators across the region.

The award adds another significant milestone to Dr. Mohd Sarwar Mir’s professional journey and reflects positively on the growing stature of GMC Handwara in the healthcare landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu: In a moment of immense pride for the medical community of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has formally recognised the significant advancements made in the healthcare sector by the Department of Health and Medical Education. The recognition comes with the inclusion of the State Cancer Institute in the official government calendar, marking its growing importance in the region’s medical landscape.

The State Cancer Institute has emerged as a symbol of progress and commitment in the fight against cancer, offering advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities to patients from across Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring areas. Over the past few years, the institute has witnessed steady infrastructural growth, adoption of modern medical technologies, and strengthening of specialised oncology services, significantly reducing the need for patients to seek treatment outside the Union Territory.

Medical professionals and healthcare administrators have welcomed the government’s acknowledgment, describing it as a morale booster for doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, and all those involved in strengthening public healthcare delivery. The recognition reflects the government’s focus on upgrading tertiary healthcare institutions and ensuring accessible, quality cancer care for the people.

Calling the State Cancer Institute the pride of Jammu and Kashmir, senior officials reiterated their resolve to further enhance its standards. “This recognition motivates us to work with greater dedication. Our collective effort will be to transform the State Cancer Institute into one of the finest centres for cancer care in the country,” an official statement noted.

The inclusion of the institute in the official calendar is being seen not merely as a symbolic gesture, but as a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to healthcare reforms and excellence in medical education and services. It also highlights the growing confidence in locally developed medical infrastructure, reinforcing hope for a healthier future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday launched the e-Pathshala initiative of the School Education Department, emphasising that digital platforms are intended to supplement classroom teaching and help bridge learning gaps, not replace teachers.

The e-Pathshala channel will be available on DTH Channel 53, enabling home-based learning across the Union Territory. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated new hostel buildings and other development projects under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Addressing the gathering, Abdullah said the initiative marks the beginning of a broader effort to expand digital learning resources, with a long-term vision of providing a dedicated channel for each class.

“This is just a small step. Our intention should be that every class has its own channel. Gradually, we will expand these channels, and there will be a separate channel for each class,” he said.

He clarified that the introduction of e-classrooms and digital channels should not be seen as an attempt to reduce the role of teachers.

“Whether connectivity exists or not, physical teachers cannot be replaced, and we have no intention of replacing them. The relationship between a teacher and a student cannot be substituted by any device or technology,” Abdullah said.

Highlighting the transformative role of good teachers, the Chief Minister shared a personal anecdote from his student days to underline how effective teaching can help even weak students excel.

“A good teacher can take even the weakest students to great heights,” he remarked.

Recalling his school days, Abdullah said he had little interest in science as a child and was expected to struggle in physics and chemistry. He credited teacher Sat Lal Razdan for changing that perception through dedicated guidance and discipline, adding that he scored his highest marks in science under Razdan’s mentorship.

Congratulating the education department and all stakeholders, Abdullah said the e-Pathshala initiative, if used effectively, has the potential to transform the lives of children across the Union Territory. He also called for regular feedback from students and teachers to ensure that the content remains relevant and beneficial.

The Chief Minister noted that 14 out of the 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir have been made education-literate, while the remaining districts—mostly remote areas—stand to benefit significantly from the new digital channel.

On the use of mobile phones and screens, Abdullah stressed that technology should be used constructively for education, learning and mental development, while cautioning against excessive screen time for gaming. He also emphasised the importance of cultivating reading habits among children, encouraging them to read books, magazines and newspapers in addition to textbooks.