THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A ‘Hut of Remembrance’ is coming up at the Sainik School, Kazhakkoottam, for honouring and remembering alumni who have passed away.
The military style hut in marble will be opened on the school campus by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on January 21. The Chief Minister will inaugurate the valedictory of the school’s golden jubilee celebrations on the day. Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal S P Singh will be chief guests on the occasion.
‘’The Hut of Remembrance will display inside it the names of alumni of the school who have passed away. There are about 80 old boys at present in the list, including the martyrs,’’ school registrar Lt Col P G Suresh Kumar said. New names can also be added to the list, he said.
Sponsored by the 1965 batch of the Sainik School, the Hut of Remembrance is coming up opposite the Capt R Harshan Pavilion, named after the young alumnus who died fighting terrorists in Kupwara just a few years ago. Other illustrious alumni like Lt Col N J Nair, who died fighting insurgents in the North-East, and Lt Radha Mohan Naresh, who died in the 1971 War, also will find a place in the ‘Hut.’ In future, the Sainik School has plans to upgrade it with e-facilities.
The January 21 event will open by laying wreaths at the ‘Stupa of Remembrance’ and paying a floral tribute to former Defence Minister V K Krishna Menon. Mass PT display by the cadets, para display by the IAF, para motor display by the Army and the ‘Daredevils’ motorcycle display by the Corps of Signals are planned. A special postal cover and a book ‘After You Sir’ will be released on the occasion.