Ranchi, July 19: Major General Gyan Bhushan, an alumnus of Sainik School, Tilaiya, has made the school and state proud by being the first person from the institute to become a lieutenant general in the Indian Army.

Only two posts in the army — field marshal (in case of national emergency) and general (chief of army staff) — are considered above lieutenant general.

Bhushan is currently the commandant of Indian Military Training Team, Bhutan, responsible for the training of Royal Bhutan Army and Royal Body Guards.

Earlier, Bhushan was decorated with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for his exemplary services to the country. Originally hailing from Ranchi, Bhushan passed out of Tilaiya to join the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1973.

The principal, Group Captain Anup Kumar Varshneya, staff and cadets have congratulated Bhushan for achieving the latest feat.

Sainik School, Tilaiya has been a feeder for aspirants to NDA and Naval Academy (NA). So far, about 1,200 students of the school have joined the defence forces as commissioned officers. This year too, 19 students have already the NDA and NA in the first batch, a proud achievement by a single school in the country.

Meanwhile, chairman of the local board of administration of the school Brigadier S.K. Yadav visited the school on July 15 and 16.

He motivated and inspired the cadets to join the defence forces in large numbers. An inter-house declamation contest was held in the school auditorium during his visit.