SAINIK SCHOOL PURULIA CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE
Gujaratglobal News Network, Kolkata
What could possibly be common of a three-star ranked Air Marshal of the fourth largest air force of the world, Chief Minister of an Indian State and a much-revered Shankaracharya of one of the oldest Jyotirmaths in the country?
The accomplished personalities - Air Marshal Arup Raha of IAF, Mr. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland,  and His Holiness Sri Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerthji of Dholka-Bhanpura Peeth, one of the most revered spiritual leaders of our times, are all 'Esspeans' (Ex-students of Sainik School, Purulia) and belong to the same class of '70.
 In fifty years, over 315 others have also joined the armed forces in the officer cadre, while many others have excelled in various vocations in the civil society, leaders et al.
On Sunday, January 29, the school celebrates its golden jubilee at Purulia, West Bengal. An alumnus of the school, Air Marshal Arup Raha, presently Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command of the IAF will review a 'Guard of Honour' as the Chief Guest.
The two-day events will bring curtains down on the year-long anniversary celebrations, which will also see 400 other Esspeans return to their alma mater to relive their school days and childhood that has been a cradle for leadership for over 2,500 cadets who have passed out in the past five decades.
The residential Public School for boys was established on January 29, 1962 with Lt Col S Mazumdar as founder Principal, initially at Bongabari near Purulia town, and later in 1966, on Purulia-Ranchi road, in a 280-acres campus.
Established under the aegis of Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the benefit of the comparatively weaker  sections of the society and to remove regional imbalances in the officer cadre of Defence services, the school, among 24 others across the country, prepares boys academically, physically and mentally for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA).
"Over 250 cadets have joined NDA since 1965 of the nearly 2,500 plus boys who have passed out so far," says Principal, Col BS Ghorpade. "Several others have also joined the Services through various other modes of entry," he adds.
Rear Admiral (Retd) Sameer Chakravorty was the first Esspean to attain a two-star rank in the armed forces. Major General Subroto Saha, still serving and several others who have attained ranks of Brigadiers and their equivalent in the other services are only adding to the long list of Esspeans who are making a mark in the armed forces.
The presence of several senior ranking officers from the armed forces will surely motivate the students who aspire to tread the path of their illustrious seniors. It may be mentioned that in the last NDA exams (128th course), 47 out of the 52 who appeared, cleared the UPSC written examinations, one of the best results amongst all Sainik Schools in the country.
"This is undoubtedly the best performance at the UPSC so far in the history of the school," says the Principal. He is however; restrained in his emotions lamenting the fact that only a few finally join the NDA. Lack of motivation on the part of the parents plays a major role, he reasons.
Hectic preparations are currently ongoing at the school that is being spruced-up to welcome the old boys most of whom plan to be there with their families. As a pay-back time to their alma mater, different batches have contributed generously to renovate the campus in every conceivable way.
A remarkable Golden Jubilee gate erected at the school's entrance (1990 batch), solar water-heating fitments in the hostel (1973 batch), an amphitheatre (1979 batch) are among host of several contributions from old boys ahead of the event.
The school crest - a symbolic banyan tree with flowing trunks depicting permanence and durability inspiring learning, wisdom and enlightenment; with inscribed leaves stressing on 'knowledge through discipline'; a full-bloomed lotus magnifying richness in intellect and culture, set against the contour of a hill with cascading water signifying resoluteness and dynamism, aptly sums up the 'can do it' motto of all Puru-Lions.
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