First girls Sainik school opened in India under an initiative to promote military training among youth

India’s first all-girls Sainik school was inaugurated by country’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 1st January. The school is located in the state, Uttar Pradesh and is called Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School. With a strength of around 870 students, it has been established under the initiative of starting 100 new Sainik schools in partnership with NGOs/private/state government schools in all states/Union Territories, according to Hindustan Times report. The drive is started for the girls, who aspire to join armed forces. The school has been added to the list of existing 33 Sainik schools in India, and is a part of the decided pattern.
Defence Minister said on the occasion, ‘Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School is a beacon of light for girls who aspire to join the Armed Forces and serve the motherland. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has given women their rightful place in the Armed Forces, which was neglected for years’ quoted Hindustan Times. In further addition, ‘They (girls) have the right to protect the nation just like their male counterparts. It was a golden moment in the history of women empowerment when we approved the admission of girls to Sainik schools. Today, our women are not flying fighter jets, they are also securing the borders’, he said.
The primary objective is to offer quality education to the students under National Education Policy and to provide career opportunities with possibilities of joining Armed Forces. Meanwhile, it is also a collaboration of private sector with government in shaping and building the future of youth and contribution in turning them into responsible citizens of the country. Geopolitical tension has emerged as one of the recent challenges for country, such as Galwan valley clash or the abrogation of Article 370. Defence Minister and Prime Minister, at various official events have mentioned contribution of armed forces in such situations and the support of government to them. The initiative of Sainik schools is a step towards strengthening country’s armed forces, is a question asked from a defence expert Mr. Sagar Rohilla. He said, ‘Yes, positively. This is a good initiative launched by government in partnership with NGOs and other organizations. It will help students to learn about Indian Army, the technicalities and patriotism. These schools will not only give training but has included education like other schools. It will follow basic syllabus that every student study along with military training.’
In presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Defence Minister dedicated school to girls. While addressing the people, he said, ‘Mathura will now be recognized by its girls. Mission Shakti is an incredible example of women’s security, respect and self-reliance. If society needs to be strengthened, then it is not possible without empowering women. We all need to come together to achieve this. Society needs to come out of its conservative ideology’, quoted Times of India. How important it is to empower women in military department in India? Mr. Rohilla believes, it will act as a bridge to cope up from gender inequality. ‘Gender inequality is a matter of discussion. Advocates have constantly spoken about gender discrimination at different workplaces, however military department is a specific space where a lot has to be introduced. Always, combat zones are linked with male counterparts, and never associated any other gender. Now, introducing military training to women will change circumstances. The space is not stick to a certain gender and women who aspire to protect the motherland and want to serve in armed forces, can apply in schools and get quality education alongside, training from professionals in the field. This is a progressive approach government is walking forward, to empower women community’, he said.
Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Gaza war is shaping the international relations of states and actors. Having stable relations with allies and collaborating for military exercises, does India is considering these reasons simultaneously, behind recent developments in military department, the question is. However, expert Mr. Rohilla told EAT news, it was pre decided alongside the ongoing situation, that added on. He said, ‘I agree, currently countries are engaged with each other aggressively. There are pool of countries, who are either supporting one or standing against the other. But, individual stand of the countries on the matter will not affect their relationships with others, it does not work this way. Meanwhile military exercises is significant activity, that India is been involved with multiple countries. The present government is working on military improvisation of country since it came into power. It was part of their agenda, and recent global disturbance have also played a part in motivating the action to be finished faster.’
The first girls Sainik School will have its admission started on 21st January by entrance exam. Candidates after clearing the written exam will have to attend counselling before selected in merit list. Sainik schools are first in the country that are providing CBSE curriculum, along military training.