Sainik School Kazhakootam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article has been nominated to be checked for its neutrality. Discussion of this nomination can be found on the talk page. |
The concept of the Sainik School originated in the fertile mind of Late VK Krishna Menon, who was our Defence Minister in the early sixties. He felt that a school with rudiments of a military way of life, in each State of our country, could go a long way in building up an infrastructure for in-take into the National Defence Academy. He was also of the view that such institutions would serve as an ideal Alma-mater for the hardy, intelligent sections of the boys hailing especially, from the rural areas of our country.
Moreover, the high levels of physical, mental and intellectual attainments needed for induction into the Officer Cadre could not be nurtured in the common schools, mainly because of the lack of infrastructural facilities.
Contents |
[edit] Location
The Chief Minister of Kerala, Late Pattom Thanu Pillai, chose Kazhakootam to be the venue for Sainik School in the early sixties and an area of 300 acres of undulating terrain was acquired on a hillock, close to the National Highway. Presently 225 acres of land is held. The school is situated 18 kms away from Trivandrum on the National Highway 47. The sprawling campus, nestled between the slender strands of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, is an ideal location for a military biased residential institution.
[edit] Inception
The school came into being on 20 Jan 1962, in a few barracks lent by the Army at Pangode, Trivandrum. At the inception a total of 120 students joined the school in Classes V, VI, VII and VIII. Six months later Class IX began with 12 students. Present strength is 628 Cadets. The Founder Principal was Lt Col BK Somaiah. The Headmaster was Sqn Ldr Babu Lal and the Registrar was Capt TVS Nair.
[edit] Construction at Kazhakootam
The Foundation Stone was laid by the Late VK Krishna Menon, Minister of Defence on 05 Feb 1962. Prof. JC Alexander of the Engineering College, Trivandrum, was the ace architect who gave shape to the beautiful Academic Block and Eleven Dormitories. The school shifted to Kazhakootam in 1964.
[edit] Aim
The scheme to establish Sainik Schools was introduced in 1961 with the primary aim of preparing boys, academically, physically and mentally for entry into the National Defence Academy.
[edit] Objectives
To remove regional imbalances in the Officer Cadre of the Defence Services. To develop qualities of body, mind and character which will enable the young boys of today to become good and useful citizens of tomorrow. To bring Public School Education within the reach of the common man.
[edit] School Colours and Motto
The light blue, dark blue and red stripes in the School Crest are symbolic of the three main arms of the Defence Services and the integrated concept of training in the initial stages.
“Gyan Anushasan Sahayog” (Knowledge, Discipline and Co-operation) purports to inculcate sterling qualities in young cadets
[edit] School Song (English)
Fill your hearts with gay sunshine Sing till the hills resound Cast all cares away, let us hail With loyal hearts that never fail Then sing of all the happy hours Carefree days of ours, Spent within our alma mater The school of our boyhood days.
To the fields, to the trees, To the homes that have given us all we have To the books, to the rules To the games that are moulding and training us To the seas, to the skies, To the men who are guarding our frontiers, To the young, to the wise, To the leaders of men and their destinies.
Then toast to our dear land United may we stand Rise to drink the toast once again, Merrily for Auld Lang Syne, Then cheers to Sainik School, Cheers to the days ahead Pray that God may ever bless us And keep us always strong and blue.
(Composed by Mrs. Myrtle Jacob)
[edit] Prayer From Gitanjali
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way in to the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever widening thought and action; Into that heaven of freedom my Father, let my Country awake.
[edit] Apex Body – Control (Chief Executive Body)
A Board of Governors, presided over by the Defence Minister exercises overall control. Chief Ministers/Education Ministers of the States are the members of this Board. An Officer of the Ministry of Defence, not below the rank of Deputy Secretary, nominated to supervise and co-ordinate the functioning of the Sainik Schools, functions as the Honorary Secretary of the Sainik Schools Society. The Honorary Secretary is assisted by Officers and Staff of the Ministry of Defence, including two Inspecting Officers, of the rank of Colonel or equivalent
