Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 21: Defence minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the evolving nature of modern warfare on Saturday, stressing that national security today extends beyond borders to include economic, digital, energy, and food security.

Addressing the Raising Day celebrations and the Diamond Jubilee of Sainik School, Ghorakhal in Uttarakhand virtually, the Defence Minister noted that contemporary conflicts can weaken nations through economic, cyber, space, and information warfare, emphasizing the need for citizens to remain vigilant and prepared at all times.

He underscored the importance of a robust military supported by disciplined and capable citizens, capable of defending the nation under any circumstance. While the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, equips the armed forces with advanced weapons and technologies, Rajnath Singh stressed that youth must cultivate mental toughness, intellectual clarity, and discipline.

Highlighting the challenges of the modern world, he referred to the VUCA concept (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) and encouraged students to develop their own version: Vision, Understanding, Courage, and Adaptability, to navigate contemporary uncertainties effectively.

The Defence Minister also detailed initiatives aimed at nurturing youth for nation-building, including the establishment of 100 new Sainik Schools under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and the expansion of National Cadet Corps (NCC) intake from 17 lakh to 20 lakh cadets.

Significantly, he described the admission of girls into Sainik Schools as a historic step, empowering women and strengthening ‘Nari Shakti’. “These girls will become torchbearers of ‘Nari Shakti’ and achieve new heights across sectors,” he said.

Extending his greetings to students, faculty, alumni, and their families, Rajnath Singh lauded the school’s six decades of dedicated service. “Over the years, the school has sent more than 800 students to the National Defence Academy and over 2,000 candidates to the Armed Forces through various entry schemes such as the Combined Defence Services Examination and Air Force Common Admission Test,” he added.

The Defence Minister expressed confidence that Sainik School Ghorakhal students will continue to uphold discipline, dedication, and pride, contributing to the nation’s security and progress.