The atmosphere at the Sainik School here - the first in a series of 24 such institutions in India - is that of elation, as its former cadet has just won the coveted 'Sword of Honour' at the passing out parade at the Air Force Academy.
"We are all celebrating. After all, it is not every day that one of your students wins this highest recognition at the Academy, which turns out trained pilots for the Air Force," School Principal Col V N Chaturvedi told PTI.
Flying Officer Tejas Kavale won the honour at the 'Sword of Honour' at the recent 187 PC passing out parade at the Academy, located at Dundigal, Hyderabad. He was among the four former cadets of the school, who passed out through the portals of the Academy that day.
21-year old Tejas, who incidentally shares his name with an indigenous combat jet, also commanded the parade which had Marshal of the Fleet Arjan Singh, DFC as the reviewing officer.
"It was a proud moment for Tejas and his parents as he was awarded the 'President's Plaque' and the Sword. Earlier, during the Reviewing Officer's dinner night, he was also awarded the 'Most Accomplished Cadet of the Passing out Course' and the 'Best in Officer Like Qualities' trophy and is also first in Flying Merit of his course," he said.
Tejas and the four other former students of the school are now scheduled to undergo their flying training on Advanced Jet Trainers 'Hawk' at Bidar.
For Tejas, it is a childhood dream come true as he wanted to be a pilot when he was in the first standard. He was second in the all-India merit list for the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2007 and joined the Air Force Academy in June 2010.
Tejas cherishes his first solo flight on a Kiran Mk-I jet trainer on October 26 last year. "Just the thrill of taking the jet up and bringing her back safely is very exhilarating," he said.
Interactions with his seniors from Sainik School, Satara motivated him to become an Air Force fighter pilot, Tejas said. Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik is also an alumnus of the school.