Modern warfare extends beyond borders, says Rajnath Singh at Sainik School Ghorakhal diamond jubilee
New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasised that modern warfare is no longer confined to battlefields, but now spans economic, cyber, energy and food security domains, calling for a strong military backed by vigilant and prepared citizens.
Virtually addressing the Raising Day and Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Sainik School Ghorakhal in Uttarakhand on March 21, Singh said the nature of conflict has undergone a fundamental shift, with nations increasingly vulnerable to non-traditional forms of warfare such as cyber, space and information operations.
Highlighting the government’s efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to modernise the armed forces with advanced technologies and weapons, he stressed the importance of citizens – particularly the youth – developing mental resilience and intellectual clarity through discipline and determination.
Invoking the concept of VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous), the Defence Minister encouraged students to adopt an alternative framework – Vision, Understanding, Courage and Adaptability – to effectively navigate emerging challenges.
Singh also outlined key initiatives aimed at strengthening nation-building values among young people. He noted that the government has approved the establishment of 100 new Sainik Schools across the country under a public-private partnership model. Additionally, the intake capacity of the National Cadet Corps has been increased from 17 lakh to 20 lakh cadets.
Describing the admission of girls into Sainik Schools as a transformative step, he said the move would further empower ‘Nari Shakti’ (women’s power) and enable young women to excel across diverse fields in the years ahead.
Congratulating the students, faculty, alumni and families on the institution completing 60 years of service, Singh praised the school’s contribution to the armed forces. He noted that over 800 students from the school have joined the National Defence Academy, while more than 2,000 have entered the armed forces through various entry schemes.
Expressing confidence in the institution’s future, the Defence Minister said Sainik School Ghorakhal would continue to produce disciplined leaders committed to nation-building, drawing inspiration from distinguished alumni such as Lt Gen MK Katiyar.
