New Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh is Kapurthala Sainik School alumnus

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, September 10

“Sainik School, Kapurthala, is a place that has taught me everything. The teachers who were there during our times made us what we are today. Those teachers may not be there, but the spirit still prevails. I would definitely visit my alma mater again. There are so many touching memories there,” shared Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, who has been appointed as the Governor of Uttarakhand.

In the past too, Saikapians have been rising to great heights in all walks of life, be it the Army, Navy, Air Force or civil services. With Lt Gen Gurmit Singh being appointed the Governor, it is another feather in the Sainik School’s cap. I find myself singularly privileged to be the head of the institution. — Col Prashant Saxena, Principal, Sainik School, Kapurthala

The feeling of pride was palpable among the teachers and the principal of the school after the announcement of appointing the school’s alumnus Lt Gen Gurmit Singh as Governor. Gurmit Singh studied at the school from 1967 to 1973 before joining the National Defence Academy.

A great debater, amazing sportsperson, academically brilliant, always a topper, and every time an appointment holder, this is how Jawahar Dhawan, Singh’s classmate remembers him. “He was very clear from the beginning that he wanted to join the armed forces,” he shared.

Recalling the times he spent in the school, he said, “The school was one place where I learned everything. Every prospective of being a soldier was learned there, be it discipline, drill or sports. The teachers created an environment to prepare us as a future leader.”

“A large portion of my service has been spent in terrorist-affected areas,” shared the Lieutenant General who served in Kashmir for a decade from 2005 to 2014. He also led a military delegation to Beijing, Urumchi and Shanghai. Apart from this, he visited Pakistan twice as a part of the delegation for defence-related talks. He also did a training course at the National Defense University at Washington (the US) and Taipei (Taiwan).

Lt Gen Gurmit Singh remained a great sportsperson in the school. Expressing his admiration towards sports, “I liked riding, gymnastics and cricket. In fact, the armed forces and sports are interconnected. Games automatically become very important part of your life.”

Col Prashant Saxena, Principal, Sainik School, Kapurthala, shared it was a matter of great pride for him. “In the past too, Saikapians have been rising to great heights in all walks of life, be it the Army, Navy, Air Force or civil services. With Lt Gen Gurmit Singh being appointed the Governor, it is another feather in the Sainik School’s cap. I find myself singularly privileged to be head of the institution. It is a matter of responsibility for me because when I see Saikapians doing so well, it reminds me of my duties,” the principal shared his feelings.

Lt Gen Gurmit had also visited his alma mater as a chief guest a few years ago to give a speech. MS Bajwa, a maths teacher in the school, still remembers a lecture and terms it as one of the most powerful lectures he had ever heard. “He has got a great motivational power. The way he gave the lecture and the way he motivated the students was exemplary,” he said.