64th ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATION IN SAINIK SCHOOL BALACHADI, JAMNAGAR
Sainik School Balachadi, Jamnagar celebrated its 64th Annual Day with great enthusiasm and splendour in the School Auditorium on 23 January 2026. Col Shreyash Mehta, Principal, Sainik School Balachadi graced the occasion. He was accorded a warm welcome by Cadet Hetvi and Cadet Niyati, who presented him with a bouquet.
The Annual Day celebrations commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the Principal, marking the formal beginning of the programme. The Principal then presented the Annual Report, highlighting the School’s notable achievements during the year and reiterating its mission of providing quality education with a focus on preparing cadets for entry into the Defence Forces as Officers. He emphasized that the School administration is continuously striving to enhance standards by introducing innovations such as improved infrastructure, adoption of new teaching methodologies and upgradation of existing facilities.
The presentation of the Annual Report was followed by a mesmerizing cultural programme by the Balachadians. The cadets enthralled the audience with a wide range of performances including Bharatanatyam on Shiv Tandav Stotram by Cadet Riya and Cadet Chaitra, a group song ‘Aarambh Hai Prachand’ by girl cadets, a group dance by boys, a Hindi comedy skit ‘Paisa Double’, an impressive Talwaar Raas showcasing sword-fighting skills by Cadet Shreshta Jadeja and Cadet Hemyarajsinh Jadeja, and a vibrant patriotic dance by girl cadets. The programme left a lasting impression on parents and guests, reaffirming that the cadets are being groomed to excel in every walk of life.
The Principal awarded prizes, trophies and certificates to cadets who excelled in various academic and co-curricular activities for the academic year 2024–25.
Cadet Tirth Patel of Angre House was awarded with certificate, cash prize and trophy for scoring highest marks in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in class XII, Cadet Adarsh Kumar of Tagore House was awarded with certificate, cash prize and rolling trophy for scoring highest marks in Biology in class XII. Cadet Prins Kathrotiya of Shivaji House was awarded with certificate and cash prize for scoring highest marks in Computer Science in class XII. While for scoring highest marks in English in class XII the prize was given to cadet Shiv Kanara of Tagore House.
The prestigious ‘Cock House Trophy’ for the all-round best performing House was bagged by Shivaji House, while the ‘Best Holding House’ Trophy was won by Ahilyabai House. The Academic Trophy in the Senior Group and Junior Group was won by Shivaji House and Nehru House respectively.
The coveted ‘Martyr Capt Nilesh Soni Medal’ for the Best NDA Cadet for the academic year 2024–25 was awarded to Cadet Tirth Patel of Angre House. He was also honoured with a cash award of ₹25,000 by OBSSA Foundation, Ahmedabad, and ₹16,000 by the Golden Jubilee Batch of 1973 for his outstanding achievement.
The Best All Round Cadet Awards for the year 2024–25 were conferred upon Cadet Prince Raj of Angre House (Senior Category), Cadet Yuvraj Singh of Tagore House (Junior Category) and Cadet Arpita Haldkar of Ahilyabai House (Girls Category). Cadet Rudra Chaudhary of Pratap House was adjudged Best Athlete of the Year, while Cadet Dhwani Borad of Ahilyabai House received the award for Best in Art.
The Best Debater (Hindi) award was presented to Cadet Abhay Raj, Class XII, Garuda House, while the Best Debater (English) award was jointly awarded to Cadet Jash Kapopara, Class XII, Tagore House and Cadet Shivam Gawar, Class XII, Pratap House. The Multitalented Cadet Award for Class XII was awarded to Cadet Jay Manek of Garuda House.
The ‘Shining Star of the School’ Award for the year 2024–25 was presented to Cadet Shreshthaba Jadeja of Ahilyabai House. The Late Smt Ramrati Devi Kaushal Rolling Trophy, instituted by former Principal Gp Capt V K Kaushal in the fond memory of his mother, for securing first position in the Class XII CBSE Board Examination was awarded to Cadet Tirth Patel, who secured 83.6% in the examination.
On this occasion, the digital version of the School Magazine ‘Sandeshak 2024–25’, based on the theme NDA – ‘Nurturing Minds’, ‘Demonstrating Grit’, ‘Achieving Glory’, was released by the Principal. An exhibition by the Arts, Mathematics and English Departments was also showcased and was highly appreciated by all visitors.
Members of OBSSA, parents and families were present in large numbers and expressed immense pride and satisfaction at the performance of their wards. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Sqn Ldr Rakesh Tiwari, Vice Principal, Sainik School Balachadi.