Sainik School, Ghorakhal, arguably, the best amongst all the 24 Sainik Schools in the country now has a T-55 battle tank and two Howitzers adorning its campus.
One of the school's illustrious alumni lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia, the present Director General of Military Operations 'inaugurated' the tank which has been stationed on a specially erected platform. In addition to the battle tank, Gen Bhatia also inaugurated two-Pack Howitzer "Indian Mountain guns" that have been placed majestically on the school parade ground on specially designed platforms.
Speaking on the occasion, Gen Bhatia, who is also the Colonel of the Parachute Regiment said that he was proud to have been a part of this prestigious institution and he owed his success in his career to the school. He said the lessons he had learnt in school had always kept him in good stead. It is noteworthy that Gen Bhatia was a student of the Sainik School Ghorakhal from 1967 to 1970 before joining the 44th course at National Defence Academy.
According to him, the school has been doing extremely well and urged the present crop of cadets to work hard and never give up on their dreams. He hoped that the installation of these war trophies would serve as an inspiration not only to the cadets but to the local population. He also announced that being the Colonel of the Parachute Regiment, he would be instituting a trophy "to be awarded to the cadet who comes first in arrival, the General was given a ceremonial guard of Honour by the cadets.
This was also the Generals' farewell visit to his alma mater as retires from the Army after a career spanning more than three decades. Speaking on the occasion, Colonel Devesh Gaur, Principal said getting the war trophies was a Herculean task and thanked the General as well other old boys for their untiring efforts. He said that the achievements of the General would serve as an inspiration to cadets to pursue their dreams and also announced that the trophy instituted by the General would be named as lt Gen Vinod Bhatia Rookie Para Trophy" .
He also said that the school has embarked on a massive infrastructure development and would spare no efforts to ensure that cadets get all possible support in honing their allround skills. He also added that the school is gearing up to launch its Golden Jubilee Celebrations in a grand manner beginning in the mid of 2015 stretching till 2016.