75th Anniv. of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehra Dun
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | March 13, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 2 |
| Quantity | 700,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13½ |
| Printer | Calcutta Security Printers Ltd |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1543 Stamp Number IN 1601 Yvert et Tellier IN 1318 Stanley Gibbons IN 1707 |
| Themes | Anniversaries and Jubilees | Military Forces | Monuments |
Table of Contents
75th Anniv. of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehra Dun
The Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun, originally established as the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College on 13 March 1922, holds a significant place in India’s military history. Inaugurated by Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII of Great Britain), the institution was a response to the growing demands of India’s nascent freedom movement, which called for Indian officers to lead Indian troops.
Key Highlights:
- Founding Purpose:
- The college was founded to train young Indian boys to become commissioned officers in India’s defense services, marking a critical step towards Indianization of the military.
- Elite Public School:
- Modeled on prestigious British institutions like Eton and Harrow, RIMC has maintained its reputation as a cradle of excellence, nurturing leadership, bravery, and academic rigor.
- Feeder Institution:
- RIMC serves as a preparatory institution for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the academies of the three defense services, producing some of the finest military leaders in India and Pakistan.
- Notable Alumni:
- Military Leadership:
- RIMC has produced three Chiefs of the Army Staff and one Chief of the Air Staff in India, and similarly, two Air Chiefs and one Army Chief in Pakistan.
- War Heroes:
- Notable alumni include Lieutenant General P.S. Bhagat, the first Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross during World War II, and Major Somnath Sharma, the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration, for his valor in the Kashmir War of 1947.
- Excellence in Sports and Adventure:
- National Champions:
- The college’s squash team has been national champions in the under-16 category, and its soccer team remains among the top in the country.
- Adventure Activities:
- RIMC cadets engage in diverse activities like mountaineering, white water rafting, desert safaris, and para-sailing. Notably, four RIMC boys set a world record by summiting Mount Kedarnath Dome (6,830 meters), becoming the youngest to achieve such a feat.
- Arjuna Awardees:
- The institution has produced three Arjuna Award winners, one of whom led a Mount Everest expedition, while others participated in the renowned round-the-world sailing expedition on the yacht Trishna and excelled in squash.
Platinum Jubilee:
The issuance of a commemorative stamp marking the Platinum Jubilee of RIMC honors its legacy of producing leaders who have significantly contributed to India’s defense and sports achievements. The college continues to uphold its tradition of excellence, shaping future leaders for the nation.
This stamp symbolizes the enduring legacy of RIMC as an institution that has not only contributed to India’s military leadership but also fostered a spirit of adventure and excellence in its cadets.