“My Real Birth Took Place at Sainik School Chittorgarh”: VP Dhankhar to Cadets

GG New Bureau
Chittorgarh, 6th June: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed students of Sainik School, Chittorgarh, on World Environment Day, delivering a deeply personal and inspirational message that traced his journey from a small village in Jhunjhunu to the nation’s second-highest constitutional office.

Speaking at his alma mater, Dhankhar said, “I am proud to be a Chittorian. My real birth took place at Sainik School, Chittorgarh. It was here that I learned discipline, decorum, and the value of being part of a community.”

Recalling the heritage of Chittorgarh, he highlighted the legacy of icons like Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga, and Rani Padmini, saying, “They are not just history; they are our inspiration.”

Touching upon the evolution of Sainik Schools, he lauded the inclusion of girls and the growing network across India. “Can any country succeed without acknowledging 50% of its talent? Today, our girls are combat pilots, ISRO scientists, and law enforcers. This is Bharat’s strength,” he said.

Praising Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for establishing a new Sainik School in Gorakhpur, Dhankhar added, “The Chief Minister has changed the law and order landscape of the state. Organising Kumbh and the Sainik School are both global benchmarks.”

The Vice President also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in securing one-third reservation for women in legislatures and emphasised India’s growing stature as a global power, referring to the success of Operation Sindoor. “We targeted terror camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke with precision. The world has taken note — Bharat will not tolerate terrorism,” he said.

On India’s scientific achievements, he expressed pride over Chandrayaan-3’s moon landing and the naming of the ‘Shiv-Shakti’ point. “In 1947, we regained our sovereignty, but our civilisational journey is over 5,000 years old. Bharat is now a rising, unstoppable force.”

Urging cadets to embrace resilience, he told students not to fear failure. “Failure is a message — try again, do more. Believe in yourself. No one succeeded on the first attempt — not even Chandrayaan.”

He invited students in small batches to visit Parliament as his guests and promised a personal visit to the school in 2025, including a nostalgic stop at his old dormitory, Sanga House.

Closing his address with a quote from Swami Vivekananda — “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached” — the Vice President encouraged students to optimise their time, communicate confidently, and never be afraid to express their talent.

“You have a bright future. Sainik School has changed your life. Be proud, and make a difference,” he concluded.