Sainik school athletics meet concludes

Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, November 19 

Sainik School, Kapurthala, run by the Union Ministry of Defence has contributed more than 1,100 Army officers, including 50 who rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and Major General to the armed forces since its inception in 1961. 

Principal Col Vikas Mohan, while speaking on the sidelines of the 56th annual athletics meet of the school, which concluded here today, said 22 cadets had passed the written examination of the NDA  conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and would now face the interview board for final selection.  

Mohan also disclosed that four cadets of the school had joined the armed forces during the year. 

DIG, Patiala range, Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, a cadet of the school, was specially invited to inaugurate the three-day athletics meet on Friday while the IG, Jalandhar range, Arpit Shukla, presided over the function at the closing ceremony of the athletics meet. 

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Tayab gave away prizes to the winners.

The Sainik school principal said prominent among those who stole the limelight were the Director General of Military Operations, Lt General Ranbir Singh, a cadet of the school, who led the surgical strike against Pakistan a few months ago, and is now a corps commander.  

Besides, Lt General Satinder Singh, Lt General Iqrup Singh, Major General Balwinder Singh Cheema, Major General Gajinder Singh and Major General Sarbjit Singh were also the products of the school.

The principal claimed that the cadets who had not joined the armed forces had also excelled in other fields like Patiala range DIG Dr Sukhcain Singh Gill, former Advocate General HS Mattewal besides men in other distinguished professions.

Highlighting the achievements of the school, Col Vikas Mohan said the school band had been participating in the Republic Day parade for more than 15 years.