DEEPAK KAPOOR KUNJEAN TIMES JANUARY‐2019 Sainik School Kunjpura, Karnal (Haryana) th INDEX 48 All India Sainik Schools Principals' Conference 2018 All India Sainik Schools Principals' Conference Inauguration of Conference Hall All India Sainik Schools Mountaineering Expedition 2018 Founder's Day 2018 Teachers' Day Celebration Inauguration of Motivational Hall 48th All India Sainik Schools Principals' 72nd Independence Day Conference was held at Sainik School Celebration Kunjpura, Karnal from 25th to 26th IH Athletics Competition October 2018. Dr Subhash Bhamre, Celebration of National Unity Hon'ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Govt of Day India was the Chief Guest. Shri Manish Reunion of Golden Jubilee Thakur, Joint Secretary, Maj Gen KS Batch Nijjar, COS HQ 2 Corps & Chairman Old Boys Meet 2018 LBA, Dr Meenakshi Jolly, Director Trg, Installation of Open Air Gym Cmde G Rambabu, Gp Capt P Ravi Kumar Inspecting Officers and Principals of 27 Guest Lectures / Visits Sainik Schools attended the conference. After paying floral tribute to the martyrs at COC House Party Saikunj War Heroes Memorial, Dr Subhash Bhamre was given the Guard of Honour. Educational/ Motivational Besides delibration on various academic and administrative issues, the Chief Guest Tours also visited Motivation Hall, Atal Tinkering Lab and Artificial Climbing Wall. IPSC Corner Awards and Honours Inauguration of Conference Hall Activities At a Glance Sainik School Kunjpura is a Obituary trendsetter in developing unique infrastructure. The state of art EDITORIAL BOARD Conference Room was inaugurated Patron : Col VD Chandola by Commodore G Rambabu, Editor-in-Chief : Lt Col Astha Kotnala Inspecting Officer, Sainik Schools Editor : Sh VR Bhanot Sub-Editor : Smt RK Bajwa Society on 24 October 2018. It has Photography : Sh BK Choudhary capacity to accommodate fifty persons. 1 All India Sainik Schools Mountaineering Expedition 2018 Under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme, an All India Sainik Schools Mountaineering Expedition to Ladakhi Peak in Manali region was flagged off by Sh Kaptan Singh Solanki, Hon'ble Governor, Haryana at Raj Bhavan, Chandigarh on 27 May 2018. Col VD Chandola received the flags from Hon'ble Governor. The 20 days expedition was led by Lt Col Astha Kotnala, Vice Principal. Sh Anurag Semwal, Asst Master and Sh JS Gulia along with 46 cadets from different Sainik Schools across the nation were part of the expedition team. The team successfully scaled the Ladakhi Peak and was flagged in by Sh Aditya Dahiya, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Karnal. 58th Founder's Day 2018 Founder's Day is the day of rededication and pride for every member of the Kunjean fraternity. The 58th Founder's Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fanfare on 24 July 2018. Lt Gen Surinder Singh, AVSM**, VSM, ADC, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Chandimandir extended his kind courtesy and graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Lt Gen Alok Singh Kler, VSM, GOC 2 Corps was the Guest of Honour. The Chief Guest marked his presence at the Saikunj War Hero's Memorial by laying the wreath. A Guard of Honour was given to the Chief Guest by the cadets. The main function was held at Manekshaw Auditorium. Col VD Chandola, Principal, read out the Annual Report. The School Appointments were awarded appointment certificates by the Chief Guest. Trophies were presented to champions of different houses for their excellent performance during the academic session 2017 - 18. The Academic toppers were also awarded with certificates of appreciation by the Chief Guest. Staff members were also felicitated for their dedication and excellent performance during the year. Teachers' Day Celebration To commemorate the birth anniversary of great teacher, philosopher and President Dr S Radhakrishnan, Teachers' Day was celebrated on 05 September 2018. The Principal, the staff members and cadets paid their floral tributes to Dr S Radhakrishnan. The cadets delivered speeches on life and works of Dr S Radhakrishnan. Col VD Chandola, Principal, exhorted the cadets to get inspiration from life of Dr Radhakrishnan and contribute towards progress of our motherland. 2 Inauguration of Motivational Hall The Nation which takes pride in about the glory of her past always leads the world. Sainik School Kunjpura has developed a Motivation Hall to showcase the glorious military history of our great nation and the remarkable contribution of patriots of Sainik School Kunjpura. The Motivation Hall was inaugurated by Lt Gen Surinder Singh, AVSM**, VSM, ADC, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Chandimandir on the occasion of Founder's Day, 24 July 2018. The Army Commander appreciated the information and exhibits and lauded the efforts put in to develop the Motivation Hall. Celebration of 72nd Independence Day The 72nd Independence Day was celebrated in the school with great enthusiasm and vivacity on 15 Aug 2018. Col VD Chandola, Principal, hoisted the Tricolour and reviewed the march past. Cadets delivered befitting patriotic speeches, recited poems and patriotic songs. In his address, the Principal highlighted sacrifices of the great freedom fighters during the struggle for freedom and motivated cadets to work for the nation with dedication and devotion. Sweets were also distributed to the School General Employees. Our School Band participated in the District Level Independence Day Parade, Karnal and was adjudged Best Band Contingent in Independence Day Parade 2018. IH Athletics Competition Inter House Athletics Competition was held on 15 – 16 November 2018. Colonel (Dr) VK Bhatt, Col GS (Edn) HQ 2 Corps was the Chief Guest on the opening ceremony on 15 Nov 2018. Col Bhatt took salute from marching contingents of different Houses. During his address, he motivated the cadets to participate in the competition and exhibit true spirit of a sportsman. The Competition was held in Senior, Junior and Holding Houses categories. The Closing ceremony was held on 16 Nov 2018. Lt Col Astha Kotnala, Vice Principal, was the Chief Guest for the Closing Ceremony. She gave away the medals to the champions of 2018 in three categories. She appreciated cadets for displaying true sportsmanship. She also lauded the efforts of the staff and other employees in successful conduct of the mega event. 3 Celebration of National Unity Day To mark the Birth Anniversary of Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, National Unity Day was celebrated in SSK on 31 October 2018. In the morning, a Unity Pledge was taken by cadets. Col VD Chandola, Principal, motivated cadets to work for unity in our country taking cue from the life and works of Sardar Patel. In the evening, a four km 'Run for Unity' was also organised. Reunion of Golden Jubilee Batch 39 Kunjeans along with their spouses visited their alma mater on 17 November 2018. The Golden Jubilee Batch (1968 – 1974) was thrilled to see the infrastructural development and overall changes in the school and was nostalgic while going down the memory lane. During Special Assembly they shared their thoughts with the present generation of Kunjeans. The Batch instituted a Trophy and cash prize of Rs. 10,000/ for Overall Best Cadet from the Junior Houses and another Trophy for the Best House in sports among the Senior Houses. Cadet Abhishek Kumar of Chillianwala House was adjudged Best Cadet from the Junior Houses and Chillianwala Senior House received Best Senior House trophy for sports. Old Boys Meet - 2018 The Old Boys Meet 2018 was organised on 18 November 2018. Due to the sad demise of Sh. M.M. Chandola, father of Col VD Chandola, Principal, Sh. Narain Singh, father of Sh. N Nandal, Asst Master, and young son of Sh Nakli Ram, SGE, the Old Boys Association decided to organise OBM on a low profile. The office bearers and other Kunjeans paid their respect to martyrs at Saikunj War Hero's Memorial in the morning. To pay tributes to the departed souls, the Old Boys held a condolence meeting and observed two minutes silence. Installation of an Open Air Gym in the School The Silver Jubilee Batch (1986 – 1993) gifted an Open Air Gym to the School on the occasion of OBM 2018. 14 exercise stations are erected in the Open Gym. The Gym is constructed in the Rooperia Bal Vihar. 50 Kunjeans of Silver Jubilee Batch along with their families were present on the occasion. 4 Guest Lectures/ Visits Visit of INSV Tarini Team Three members of INSV Tarini, all women team which circumnavigated the globe, visited the school on 17 August 2018. Lt Cdr P Swati, Lt Cdr S Vijaya Devi, Lt Payal Gupta shared their experiences with the cadets. Visit of AFA Cadets Three Cadets and three Officers of Sri Lankan Air Force, visited the school on 08 Sept 2018. Col VD Chandola, Principal, briefed the team about the functioning of Sainik Schools and their contribution in the officer cadre of the three wings of Indian Armed Forces. Visit of Naval Officers Team A team of three officers of Indian Navy visited the School to motivate the cadets to join the Indian Navy. Lt Cdr SD Shukla, a Kunjean, Lt Cdr Amandeep Singh and Lt Rajshree informed the cadets about various branches and motivated cadets to take up an adventurous life in the Indian Navy. NDA A simpleton at a tender age, enters the school gate with a dream to join National Defence Academy Khadagwasla, Pune. The School provides all facilities to fulfil his dream and shape his destiny. In the year 2018 in UPSC NDA II written exam, which was held in the month of September, out of 65 cadets of Class XII, 22 Cadets cleared the written exam. They will now face the tough selection process of SSB. Guest Lecture Brig (Dr) VS Dhiman, ADG, NCC visited the School on 24 – 25 November 2018 to enlighten the cadets about the growing importance of soft skills and about focused preparation for SSB.