Sainik School in Bhubaneswar, which is celebrating its diamond jubilee on Saturday, felicitated the parents of the school alumnus Captain Ashutosh Kumar, who laid down his life in the line of duty in November 2020 and received his posthumous Shaurya Chakra — the country’s third-highest gallantry award.

Captain Ashutosh Kumar of 18 Madras Regiment was killed during a gun battle with terrorists in north Kashmir’s Machil sector on November 8, 2020.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik presented the token of appreciation to the braveheart’s parents Inaugurating the twoday celebration on Saturday, Naveen said: “The school has not only produced some of the finest soldiers of our country but also a large number of its cadets have made a significant achievement in the fields of civil services, medicine engineering, merchant navy, entrepreneurship, and many other fields. It can take pride in its galaxy of alumni for the significant contribution it made to society.”

Speaking on the occasion, R.P. Swain, minister of agriculture & farmer’s empowerment, fisheries, and animal, an alumnus of the school, recalled how the institution was established on January 15, 1962, by the then chief minister Biju Pattanaik and it is a coincidence that his son Naveen was the chief guest during its diamond jubilee celebration.

The present school building of this Temple of Learning was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru on January 8, 1964.

Principal of the School Col. Balu Bharat presented the report card on how a number of students who passed out from the school, have reached the pinnacle of success whether it’s in the field of defence or in the private sector.

“Whatever I am today because of my school. It has given me the required strength to excel in life whether to fight against Chinese at the border or to ensure peace at the disturbing part of India,” Major General (Retd) Sudhakar Jee told The Telegraph.