BHUBANESWAR: Sainik School here celebrated its golden jubilee in a grand manner on Saturday. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was the chief guest. The celebrations began in February. Plantation drive, release of a special postal cover and mini marathon were all a part of these celebrations. The programme started with a Daredevil show with bike riders from the Army performing stunts and formations on bikes. In his welcome speech, School principal KS Noor spoke of the heritage of the school. The 24 Sainik Schools across the country provide 400 officers to the defence cadre every year, he said adding Sainik School, Bhubaneswar, has given four Lieutenant Generals, two Air Marshals and a Vice-Admiral to the defence till date. Numerous pass-outs have also joined the allied services. Naveen recalled how when he was a child, his father, then chief minister of Orissa, Biju Patnaik had persuaded the then defence minister Krishna Menon to open a Sainik School in the city in 1962. He spoke of the alumni of the school who have brought laurels for the school. Due to his leg injury, Naveen unveiled Biju’s statue virtually on the school campus. He also released the book ‘Soolah Aaney Sach’, authored by Noor. It was an emotional moment for everyone when the relatives of the martyrs were honoured by Naveen. One of them was a woman who had lost her two sons, both Air Force officers. There were 15 martyrs among the alumni. There was also an air show by Air Force officers who air-dropped on the school grounds. Another show by Air Warriors Drill team concluded the event. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Madhusudan Padhi and retired Lt General JK Mohanty were among the over 4,000 persons present.
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