Wellington (Tamil Nadu), Sep 9 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday presented the Presidential Colours to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) here.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said the award of Presidential Colours is a befitting tribute to the spirit of this great institution. 

"It is indeed a matter of great pride that, in all the wars, the most critical and sensitive leadership has been provided by the alumni of this very fountain head of military learning," Mukherjee said.

He hoped the college would continue to produce military leaders of great repute and resolve. 

The President noted that more than 1,700 officers from 75 countries from all over the world have graduated from DSC, Wellington, and a large number of them have risen to the highest positions in their countries. 

The President praised the DSSC for spreading awareness on "Clean Ganga", "Swachh Bharat" and "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaigns. 

He also complimented the college for taking up promotion of green initiatives of rain water harvesting, solar power generation and recycling thereby contributing towards preservation of the rich ecosystem and biodiversity of the Nilgiris.