KOLKATA: Bengal is all set to get another Sainik school, this time at Darjeeling. The state government has already selected a plot near Ghum and informed the defence ministry. Work will start as soon as the MoD carries out inspection and gives clearance. Sources in the ministry said that there won't be any problems with the clearance so long as the state government keeps its commitment to create necessary infrastructure at the spot.
In fact, the MoD is happy that the new government in West Bengal is taking an interest in the matter of Sainik schools. The Left Front government had done little, save for making the necessary annual grants, towards improving infrastructure at the Sainik School in Purulia.
It has been learnt that the Sainik school was originally planned to be set up near Siliguri but its location was changed later for the benefit of the people from the Hills as well as the state of Sikkim. Darjeeling has a large population of servicemen, both serving and retired. Many of them want their children to study in a Sainik school.
The Sainik School at Purulia, that turns 50 on January 29, may not be a viable option for the Hills people. Even now, only a handful of students from the Hills study at Purulia, which by no means is a reflection of the actual demand from that region.
"On January 6, we wrote to the MoD, expressing our desire to set up a Sainik school in Darjeeling. This was in accordance with a proposal from the chairman of the Board of Administrators of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council ( DGHC). We have already identified 40 acres about 13 km from Ghum Jorebungalow where amenities such as power and water are available. A Sainik School for Darjeeling was also in the list of proposals drawn out during the tripartite agreement between the Centre, state government and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in 2011," a state government official said.
Sainik schools are set up by the MoD only if the state governments commit to provide land and other infrastructure. The defence ministry then provides three service officers, a physical instructor and NCC staff and takes care of overall supervision. The MoD also provides concessions to students on the basis of merit. The remaining expenditure is borne by the state governments. There are a total of 24 Sainik schools across the country. States like Bihar, Karnataka and Haryana have two Sainik schools each. Orissa, which already has one, has asked for a second. A new Sainik school is being planned in Mizoram as well.
"The Sainik school in Darjeeling will be of great help. Though there are several good schools in Darjeeling, most students are from the plains. The school will be of great help to local children," the officer added.
In fact, the MoD is happy that the new government in West Bengal is taking an interest in the matter of Sainik schools. The Left Front government had done little, save for making the necessary annual grants, towards improving infrastructure at the Sainik School in Purulia.
It has been learnt that the Sainik school was originally planned to be set up near Siliguri but its location was changed later for the benefit of the people from the Hills as well as the state of Sikkim. Darjeeling has a large population of servicemen, both serving and retired. Many of them want their children to study in a Sainik school.
The Sainik School at Purulia, that turns 50 on January 29, may not be a viable option for the Hills people. Even now, only a handful of students from the Hills study at Purulia, which by no means is a reflection of the actual demand from that region.
"On January 6, we wrote to the MoD, expressing our desire to set up a Sainik school in Darjeeling. This was in accordance with a proposal from the chairman of the Board of Administrators of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council ( DGHC). We have already identified 40 acres about 13 km from Ghum Jorebungalow where amenities such as power and water are available. A Sainik School for Darjeeling was also in the list of proposals drawn out during the tripartite agreement between the Centre, state government and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in 2011," a state government official said.
Sainik schools are set up by the MoD only if the state governments commit to provide land and other infrastructure. The defence ministry then provides three service officers, a physical instructor and NCC staff and takes care of overall supervision. The MoD also provides concessions to students on the basis of merit. The remaining expenditure is borne by the state governments. There are a total of 24 Sainik schools across the country. States like Bihar, Karnataka and Haryana have two Sainik schools each. Orissa, which already has one, has asked for a second. A new Sainik school is being planned in Mizoram as well.
"The Sainik school in Darjeeling will be of great help. Though there are several good schools in Darjeeling, most students are from the plains. The school will be of great help to local children," the officer added.
Source: TOI
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