Nostalgia grips Kunjpura Sainik School's alumni meet

Tribune News Service

Karnal, December 19

Over 600 former students mainly of the Golden Jubilee batch (1971) and the Silver Jubilee batch (1996) of Sainik School, Kunjpura, across the country turned up to attend the old boys meet. They revisited their alma mater to be part and relived their school days. Most of them came with their families.

Army capable of protecting borders

We (Indian Army) are capable enough to protect our borders from China. China tried to expand its borders, but the Army has protected the borders of the country.  — Gen Deepak Kapoor (retd), Ex-chief of army staff

Chief guest, Gen (Retd) Deepak Kapoor, ex-Chief of Army Staff, a student of the first batch of the school, who along with other ex-students shared their experiences with students and exhorted them to serve the nation with dedication.

Gen Kapoor, who is himself a 1971 war veteran, honoured the 1971 war veteran of the school comprising Lt Gen DDS Sandhu, (retd), Lt Gen Arun Nanda (retd.), Maj Gen Umang Kapoor (retd.), Wing Commander NS Lohan (retd.), Col PS Dhillon (retd.), Col JS Jodha (retd.), Col OP Yadav (retd.), Col Milan Chatterji (retd.), and Wing Commander DK Bhardwaj (retd.).

“The camaraderie, bonhomie that is developed during the school time lasts lifelong. Kunjeyans are one family, one community and one fraternity,” said Gen Kapoor, while addressing the students.

Sharing his appreciation for the plethora of infrastructural changes that the school has gone through, he complimented the school for bagging the Raksha Mantri Trophy nine times and for sending maximum percentage of cadets to defence academics. He urged all Kunjeyans to pay back to their alma mater in their own capacities.

“It is the duty of all of us to give back to our alma mater as it is like our home,” said Gen Kapoor.

Principal, Col Vijay Rana, Administrative Officer, Wing Commander GD Sharma and all staff members received the ex-students and their family members. Former students paid tribute at the Sai-Kunj war memorial. The young Kunjeyans extended a warm welcome to their elder brothers. Old boys lauded the efforts of the authorities and the staff during the Covid pandemic by organising uninterrupted digital online classes.

The occasion was marked by the inauguration of fountains along the main gate and also unveiling of the statue of a boy and girl in front of the NDA block symbolising the welcome induction of girls in Sainik Schools. After the wreath laying, the old boys moved to Col Sant Kumar stadium. Games like thread and needle, musical chairs, medicine ball throw were organised for the old boys and their families. In addition, many Covid warriors which included officers and personnel form Delhi and Haryana Police, doctors and civil servants, were also honoured. A-two minute silence was observed in remembrance of those Kunjeyan officers and ex-teachers who lost their life during the Covid pandemic.

Later, young Kunjeyans staged a cultural show and showcased their talent in singing, dancing and dramatics. Col Vijay Rana especially commended the golden jubilee and silver jubilee batches for their contribution towards extending facilities to brighten the future prospects of the cadets.