President Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Sainik School Bijapur on 24 Sept 2013

Deccan Chronicle,

Sainik School Bijapur

Visit of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India to Sainik School Bijapur on 24 Sept 2013

Sainik School gave India an Army of titans: President

Saluting the soldiers who fought to protect the country, President Pranab Mukherji on Tuesday heaped praise on the sainik schools that produced such personnel for the armed forces.

“Today we have 24 Sainik schools across the country, but of them the Sainik school of Bijapur is the best, '' he said participating in the school's golden jubilee celebrations here.

“Many visionaries have contributed individually to the establishment of this great institute. Today, more than 500 brilliant officers serving across the country are the outcome of this institute,” he said, adding, “Being one of the most advanced countries of the world, we shall have to strengthen the foundation of our education. The role of sainik schools in this matter is very important.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recalled that the school had produced many exemplary military leaders. “The school occupies a pride of place among all schools in the state, contributing the largest number of officers to the armed forces. It has become a launching pad for Kannadigas to join the defence forces,'' he said.

The CM said, Bijapur was not merely a city of historical monuments but grew as an educational hub in north-Karnataka with many noted educational institutions catering to the needs of students. He also congratulated the school for its academic performance.

The president also unveiled an indoor stadium built to mark the golden jubilee of the school.

Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke on the occasion. Ministers M.B. Patil, S.R. Patil and Kimmane Ratnakar, MP Ramesh Jigajinagi, Deputy Commissioner Shivayogi Kalasad and Sainik School principal R. Balaji were present on the stage.

Lt Gen(Retd) Ramesh Halgali, AVSM,PVSM, SM, greeting President Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his arrival for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the School on Sept 24, 2013

Maj Gen (Retd) KN Mirji, VSM, greeting President Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his arrival for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the School on Sept 24, 2013.

Maj Gen Arjun Muthanna, SM, greeting President Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his arrival for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the School on Sept 24, 2013.

Sainik School Bijapur-GJ, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressing students & staff

Sainik School Bijapur-GJ, Shri Pranab Mukherjee honouring Shri GD Kale

Sainik School Bijapur-GJ, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at school

Sainik School Bijapur-GJ, Col R Balaji felicitating Shri Pranab Mukherjee

Sainik School Bijapur-GJ, Shri Pranab Mukherjee honouring Shri GD Kale

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee,Governor of Karnataka Shri Hansraj Bhardwaj,Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah at Sainik School Bijapur participating in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations on 24 Sept 2013

Sainik School Bijapur-GJ, Nadageethe, jaya bharatha jananiya tanujathe

Sainik School Bijapur-GJ, Col R Balaji felicitating Shri Pranab Mukherjee

President Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the indoor stadium during golden jubilee celebrations of the Sainik School at Bijapur on Tuesday

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurating the Golden Jubilee Indoor Stadium, during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sainik School, Bijapur

Rear Admiral RM Purandare, VSM, greeting President Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his arrival for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the School on Sept 24, 2013.

Shri Gopal Hosur,IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Bangalore, greeting President Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his arrival for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the School on Sept 24, 2013.