Sainik Schools form an important part of the country’s educational system. These institutes, established by the Ministry of Defence, provide mental and physical training to students who wish to go into the National Defence Academy (NDA). Now, one such school in Uttar Pradesh has managed to achieve a special milestone.
The Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Uttar Pradesh Sainik School in Lucknow will now be led by a woman officer. Colonel Seema Mishra is the first woman in the institute’s 65-year-old history to assume the position of the principal. Interestingly, the institute was also the first one in the country to admit girl cadets. It started the policy in 2018, beginning with 15 students.
Colonel Seema Mishra, an officer of the Army Educational Corps (AEC), took charge from Colonel Rajesh Raghav, who started his tenure as principal in January 2021. After resuming her new post, Col Mishra laid wreaths at the War Memorial. She also addressed cadets and staff in the auditorium and interacted with the alumni.
Col Mishra was commissioned into the Army Educational Corps in 2003. With over 22 years of service, her dedication to service earned her the Chief of Army Staff and Vice Chief of Army Staff Commendation card. Col Mishra earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics and BEd and MPhil in Education.
Before joining the Sainik School in Lucknow, Col Mishra was the first woman officer posted as administrative officer of Rashtriya Military School, Belgaum. She was also the vice-principal at Sainik School, Kapurthala, and an instructor at Dehradun’s Indian Military Academy.
She is the wife of martyr Major Nitesh Roy, who was killed while deployed in Afghanistan in 2010, the Economic Times reported. Major Roy was awarded the Shaurya Chakra posthumously. Col Mishra will serve at the Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Uttar Pradesh Sainik School for a deputation period of two years.
Her appointment was approved post a letter issued by the Sainik School Society under the Ministry of Defence. The Uttar Pradesh government finalised the process. It then issued the formal order on December 3 through Additional Chief Secretary (Basic and Secondary Education) Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma.
In a chat with Hindustan Times, Col Mishra said that she was committed to carrying forward the good work done by Col Raghav. She also listed out her priorities and hoped to see the cadets and staff scale greater heights over the coming years. One of her first tasks was meeting the Governor with the school band. The marching contingent and eight cadets, including two girls, who cleared the NDA exams, would be part of the delegation meeting the governor.
“My sole aim will be to send maximum cadets to the National Defence Academy (NDA). I will try to ensure that more boys and girls qualify for the NDA,” she said. Col Mishra also admitted that her new task was a challenging one that she hopes to fulfil to her best potential.
“Heading the first Sainik School of the country, with its rich legacy, will be a challenging responsibility. As the school’s first woman principal, I know people will view my work through that lens,” she added. For Col Mishra, taking the institute to its former glory is of utmost importance.
The Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey Uttar Pradesh Sainik School was established in 1960 by Dr Sampurnanand, the then chief minister of the state. Its band was adjudged the Best Marching School Band during Republic Day Parade in Lucknow this year. The institute’s marching contingent got the third position among all participants.
