Sainik School, Ghorakhal, celebrates golden jubilee

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 10

Sainik School, Ghorakhal, Nainital, celebrated its golden jubilee week from June 6 with fervour and enthusiasm. Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, an old boy of the school and at present the Director General of Coast Guard, was the chief guest on the inaugural function.

Speaking at the function, the chief guest expressed his delight to be back in his alma mater and said that he was proud to be part of this great school which has churned out many a great officer not only in the defence forces but in all walks of life. He urged the cadets to make full use of the opportunities available and to leave no stone unturned to fulfill their dreams adding that they have to dream big to excel in life. He said that the friendship and camaraderie developed here would last them a lifetime and assured the parents of the cadets that they have made the right decision in sending their children to Sainik School, Ghorakhal.

Earlier presenting the annual report, Captain (Indian Navy) Rohit Dwivedi , Principal Sainik School, Ghorakhal said that his school had been doing extremely well in fulfiling the objective of sending boys to the prestigious National Defence Academy. This time also it has stood first among the country’s 25 Sainik schools in the UPSC's National Defence Academy entrance examination. He added that this is a much sought after school as it grooms the all round personality of boys turning them into responsible citizens of the nation. He hoped that the visit and achievements of inspiring personalities like Admiral Bisht would further spur the cadets to work hard. He also said that the School is celebrating its Golden Jubilee throughout the year in a grand manner culminating in May 2016. He added that the school had lined up a series of infrastructure and academic-oriented projects for the all-round development of students including the construction of a state of the art multi-purpose indoor stadium.

During the annual day celebrations the cadets presented a vibrant and colourful cultural programme and annual sports competition.

A large number of old boys had also congregated in the school to relive their old memories. In fact the closing march past of the school was led by the old boys commanded by the first school captain.

Sainik School Ghorakhal has been doing exceedingly well to achieve the aim of the objectives of the institution. Despite its lesser age as compared to the elder members of the Sainik School fraternity, 520 cadets have joined NDA up to July 2014. A large number of the alumni have also joined directly at IMA, OTA, Air Force Academy and Naval Academy, AFMC, Coast Guard and Merchant Navy. Many others have joined the IAS, IPS, IIT, Banking services etc, and most of them are presently holding prestigious positions. The school has the honour of winning the 'Raksha Mantri's trophy' for sending the largest number of cadets to the NDA seven times in the last thirteen years. The only one of its kind in the state, which prepares cadets for joining defence forces in the officer cadre Sainik School, Ghorakhal is spread over 400 acres. The school functions under the Ministry of Defence and is considered to be the best amongst the 25 Sainik Schools around the country.

Vice Admiral Bisht spent his formative years in this picturesque school from 1967 to 1973 before joining the 52th NDA course and thereafter getting commissioned in the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy as a Surface Warfare Office on 01 Jul 1979.