Founder’s Day Celebrated with Grandeur at Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey U.P. Sainik School, Lucknow
LUCKNOW: Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey U.P. Sainik School marked its 65th Founder’s Day with a vibrant and spirited celebration, reflecting on its illustrious journey since its establishment in 1960. The event, held at the school’s campus in Sarojini Nagar, approximately 15 km from Lucknow, was filled with enthusiasm and pride, showcasing the institution’s legacy and its commitment to nurturing future leaders for the Indian Armed Forces.
The ceremony was graced by Col D S Chauhan, Registrar of the school, who served as the Chief Guest. He was warmly welcomed by Lt Col Sachin Chamoli, Headmaster, and Mr. Arun Sinha, Incharge Training. The highlight of the event was an impressive March Past performed by the cadets, which captivated the audience and symbolized the discipline and rigor instilled in the students.
In his address, Col Chauhan highlighted the school’s remarkable progress, both in infrastructure and academic achievements. He announced ambitious expansion plans, including the addition of three new hostels, an indoor swimming pool, an indoor gym, a new Academic Block, a new Administrative Block, and a dedicated mess for girl cadets. These developments are set to double the school’s capacity from 450 to 900 cadets, reinforcing its position as a leading institution among Sainik Schools nationwide. Col Chauhan also celebrated the school’s success in securing an increasing number of entries into the National Defence Academy (NDA), making it a top performer in the country.
The event also served as a poignant moment to honor the “Upsainians” – alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. Their contributions were remembered with deep respect and gratitude.
Founded on July 15, 1960, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Sampurnanand, a distinguished freedom fighter and statesman, U.P. Sainik School was established to address the underrepresentation of Uttar Pradesh in the officer cadre of the Indian Armed Forces. As the first institution of its kind, it was designed to provide highly subsidized, quality education with a military ethos, serving as a feeder institution for the NDA.
The school’s recent strides under the leadership of Col Rajesh Raghav, Col D S Chauhan, and Lt Col Sachin Chamoli have revitalized its ecosystem, infusing it with energy and ambition. A staff member, reflecting the collective sentiment, described this phase as the “Golden Period” of the institution, noting that long-standing welfare issues have been addressed, and cadet performance has soared.
As Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey U.P. Sainik School celebrates 65 years of excellence, it continues to thrive with renewed vigor, aspiring to shape disciplined, capable, and patriotic individuals for decades to come. A staff member sounded effusive, “This is the Golden Period of this institution, Cadets are doing well and all our long overdue issues of welfare have been addressed by the present administration.” “May this journey of success and glory continue for decades to come,” he added.
