A Hundred Years Journey!

A hundred years, vow! I graduated in Senior Cambridge from King George Bangalore in 1958, and yet, I am reading the daily morning news in the assembly hall, in front of my school mates, with Mr Mathu, my mentor and my housemaster standing next to me! Such memories will never fade away! The school was our home, the teachers were our parents, who nurtured, guided, loved and cared. How can we forget them!

This spirit continues and will forever remain with every one who have spent their glorious formative years in these schools. There could be no better and appropriate course other than to spread it amongst ourselves and to those who may consider to imbibe it.

Georgians from Rashtriya Military School, Chail, who were with us, are carrying this message and we hugged them. Without much ado let us meet them.

Many thanks Manish Dhaka for sharing the following video, so elegantly photographed the entire period of the arrival of the Car Rally to its Flag Off!

Arz Hai

Ham tho bachpan se Atish ki lao ke ashiq Hain,

Jal agar jaate tho khud hi bujha lete hain.

Aise adareh mein hui hai parwarish,

jis se ibtida hone per hai ab bhi ranjish.

Jis se seekha hai ‘Seedhi Tarah khel khelo, ‘

‘Kirdar hi sabse bada fazilat hai’ na bhoolo.

Aaj jo bhi hum Hain aur jo Kuch bhi Karen,

Uski rehnumai aur dekh bhal, se hi is qabil bane.

Hum jis raah per Hain muqarar her waqt aur hamesha,

Humara dil, hamari sonch aur Jaan Hai, aqpne hi mulk per fida.

Karo apne adareh aur ustadon ki tahe dil se shukriya ‘Elham,’

Jinho ne nafasat se aari bachche ko bana diya hai sipahi aur Alim.

Elham

Translation

We, since childhood, we are lovers of the flame of fire,

If we were to burn, we would extinguish it ourselves.

We were raised in such an institution,

That even at its mention, a lingering ache remains from the beginning.

From which we learned, ‘Play the game,’

‘Character is the greatest virtue,’ do not forget.

Whatever we are today and whatever we do,

We are capable only because of its guidance and care.

On the path we are on, always and forever,

Our heart, our thoughts, and our life are devoted to our nation.

Give heartfelt thanks to your institution and teachers, ‘Elham,’

Who have gently transformed a raw child into a soldier and a scholar.

Elham

“Rashtriya Miltary School ki JAI”

Foot Note:

There are five Rashtrya Military Schools (RMS) across India, all Category ‘A’ establishments equivalent to premier military academies:
• RMS Chail (Himachal Pradesh): Established 1925 (oldest in Asia), located at 7,500 feet in the Himalayan forests near Shimla. Originally King George V’s Royal Indian Military School.
• RMS Ajmer (Rajasthan): Founded November 15, 1930, spread over 87 acres with views of the Aravalli hills.
• RMS Belgaum (Karnataka): Established December 30, 1945, as King George VI Royal Indian Military College.
• RMS Bangalore (Karnataka): Opened August 1, 1946, known for its rigorous training and sports facilities.
• RMS Dholpur (Rajasthan): Founded 1962, the youngest, established by then-Defence Minister V.K. Krishna Menon.
These schools are residential, with modern facilities including hostels, academic blocks, sports grounds, gymnasiums, and adventure training areas.
Education and Training
RMS offer education from Classes VI to XII, following the CBSE curriculum. The focus is on academics, leadership, and physical fitness, with preparation for entrance exams to institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and other professional courses. Students receive military-style training, including drills, NCC (National Cadet Corps), and extracurriculars like boxing, athletics, and adventure sports. Schools participate in national events, such as the Inter-Military Schools Pentangular meet.
Cadets are divided into houses and engage in co-curricular activities to build teamwork and resilience. The schools are recognized for excellence, with RMS Dholpur ranked among India’s top boys’ boarding schools by EducationWorld (2020-21).