About this stamp
Introduction
The Lawrence School, Sanawar is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious boarding schools. It was founded in 1847 by Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence, a distinguished British Army officer. Located in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, the school has a long tradition of discipline, service, and excellence.
Early History
The institution was originally named Lawrence Military Asylum. Later, it became Lawrence Royal Military School, and eventually received its present name, The Lawrence School.
It was among the first schools in the British Empire to receive the King’s Colours, an honour awarded for outstanding merit. The school earned this distinction three times.
Service and Bravery
Students and alumni of the school served with distinction during World War I and World War II, displaying courage and dedication.
After Indian Independence, the school was handed over first to the Ministry of Defence and later to the Ministry of Education.
Old Sanawarians continued to serve India in major conflicts after 1947. Among the notable alumni was Arun Khetarpal, a brave soldier honoured with the Param Vir Chakra.
Contributions in Many Fields
Former students of the school have held distinguished positions in:
- Armed Forces
- Police Services
- Civil Services
- Foreign Services
- Corporate leadership
- Media and industry
The school is also known for excellence in sports, especially mountaineering and adventure sports.
Birdwood School Building
The centre of Sanawarian life is the Birdwood School building, constructed of grey granite in a simple Gothic style. Its foundation stone was laid on 25 August 1927 and it was named after Sir William Birdwood.
Since then, it has continued to serve as the main academic and administrative building of the school.
School Crest and Motto
The school crest includes a hand holding a dagger, ivy, swords, and lion heads, adapted from the family coat of arms of Sir Henry Lawrence.
Its motto is:
“Never Give In”
This phrase reflects the courage, determination, and character-building spirit of the institution.
Rudyard Kipling famously referred to the school in Kim with the words:
“Send him to Sanawar and make a man of him.”
Commemorative Stamp Issue
The Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp to mark the sesquicentennial celebrations (150 years) of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, honouring its rich legacy of education, discipline, and national service.
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