Kargil martyr's classmates renovate cadets' mess in alma mater

Satara: Classmates of an Army officer killed during the 1999 Kargil war raised funds to renovate and rename the cadets' mess at their alma mater Sainik School here to commemorate his supreme sacrifice.

The martyr, Capt Krishnakant Dharashivkar, was part of the 'Class of 1993' (students who joined Sainik School Satara in 1986 and passed out in 1993) and included Vir Chakra awardee Col Sachin Nimbalkar, who led his men to victory during the 'Battle of the Tiger Hill' during the Kargil war.

Senior CBI officer Sandeep Tamgadge, who is also part of the batch, speaking at the commemorative event in the school premises on August 22, said the batchmates of late Capt Krishnakant have raised funds to renovate the Cadets' Mess at their alma mater. Incidentally, August 22 was the gallant officer's birthday.

The mess, which serves three meals a day to about 700 students simultaneously, was built in 1963, two years after the school was opened to train young boys for entry into the defence services.

The renovation and repair work includes work on the main gate, fence, common wash basins, building entrance doors and wall colouring of the dining hall, concrete slab on passage connecting dining hall and kitchen and decoration of the dining hall walls.

They have also put framed pictures and citations of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees in the dining hall to serve as motivation for students. Capt Krishnakant's father was present at the event, where the renovated Cadets' Mess was renamed as Capt. Krishnakant Dharashivkar Cadets' Mess.

Capt Krishnakant joined the National Defence Academy in 1993 and the Indian Military Academy in 1996. He was commissioned into the Madras Regiment as a Lieutenant. He was killed while saving the life of an injured soldier on July 7, 1999.

Former School Principal Colonel S A Varadan, Principal Group Captain Muzumdar, Headmaster Squadron Leader P S Marutiprasad, and President of the Past Students Association Pradeep Mohite were present at the commemorative event.