Jalandhar/Solan, Nov 7
Centenary celebrations of Rashtriya Military School, Chail, (RMS, Chail) the oldest Military School in the country, were kicked off with a 242-kilometer Ultra Marathon, from Jalandhar – the location where it was first established in 1925 to its present location at Chail in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh.
The Ultra Marathon was flagged off by Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Vajra Corps, from the historical venue at Jalandhar, in presence of a large number of Georgians, which is a popular name for alumni of King George’s Royal Indian Military College/ Rashtriya Military Schools among the Armed Forces fraternity.
Addressing the runners and alumni of the school, Gen Chandpuria congratulated the Rashtriya Military School, Chail for a century of yeoman’s service to the Nation and conveyed best wishes to the school for continuing to nurture the future generations for the Indian Armed Forces.
Mr Vimal Kumar Gangwal Jain, Principal, Rashtriya Military School, Chail, has extended his best wishes for successful completion of the Ultra Run.
The Ultra Marathon will pass through Balachaur, Pinjore and Solan before culminating at the highest cricket ground of the world situated at 7000 feet at Chail.
The school rechristened as Rashtriya Military School, Chail with effect from June 25 , 2007 prepares cadets for entry into the Defence Services as officers after completion of 10+2.
The school, which was christened as King George’s Royal Indian Military College (KGRIMC), was established at Jalandhar Cantonment, with its sister institution at Jhelum (now in Pakistan). These came into existence after the First World War with a then generous donation of Rs. 2.5 lakh from King George V’s Patriotic Fund. The foundation stone of the school was laid by the then Prince of Wales in February 1922 and it started functioning from September 15, 1925.
The institution was renamed as King George’s School and shifted to Nowgong in August 1952, to make way for the establishment of a corps headquarters at its site. The shifting was considered temporary, as it was proposed to bring it back to Punjab at a suitable place. At Nowgong it was housed in Old Kitchner College buildings.
On January 1, 1966, the School was renamed again as Chail Military School and in 1966, the name was changed to Military School Chail. Now, the school is known as Rashtriya Military School, Chail with effect from June 25, 2007. The school now prepares the cadets for entrance examinations to defence services and also for Senior School Certificate Education of the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi under 10+2 scheme.
Among its prominent alumni are Param Vir Chakra Capt GS Salaria (Posthumous), Military Cross winner Major General Siri Kanth Korla, one of the most decorated Indian officer and winner of Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra and Kirti Chakara Lt Gen Joginder Singh Gharaya, Mahavir Chakra awardees Brig Rai Singh, Lt Gen Ranjit Dayal and Lt Gen Anand Sarup. There are a large number of alumni who are winners or Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.
Besides the armed forces, its alumni have held constitutional posts such as Governors and Lt Governors and ministers. Its alumni have also made a mark for themselves in varied fields such as mountaineering, medical, engineering, entrepreneurship, media, business, legal and administrative fields.
