Date:19/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/19/stories/2006121904380200.htm

Karnataka - Bijapur

Sainik School gets the most celebrated battle tank

Suresh Bhat

WAR ANTIQUE: The `Vijayanta' tank on display at the Sainik School campus in Bijapur.

BIJAPUR: Not long ago, Sainik School of Bijapur provided lovers of war antiques an opportunity to have a glimpse of 25 PDR gun, a widely used firearm of the 20th century. The 87.68-mm gun of British make was the star attraction on the school campus till now.

However, it is now the turn of "Vijayanta", the most celebrated battle tank of the Indian Army. The "Vijayanta" tank played a leading role in the Indo-Pak war that led to the creation of Bangladesh 35 years ago. They gave the Army a decisive edge over its enemy and emerged as "Vijayantas".

The Sainik School managed to get one of the "Vijayantas" after considerable effort. It had to hire a special carrier that took nearly two weeks to transport the tank from New Delhi to Bijapur. The school, which is under the Defence Ministry, had to spend nearly Rs. 2 lakh on its transportation.

The tank has now been put on a concrete platform, pending formal inauguration.

Unlike its predecessor 25 PDR gun, the "Vijayanta" tanks were built indigenously at Avadi near Chennai in the 1960s. The 39-tonne tank, which can accommodate four members, was fitted with a 535 HP diesel engine.

Col. K.K. Sunny, principal of the school, said it was the world-class battle tank of contemporary age. The tank with a 105-mm main gun was capable of firing 32 rounds a minute with pinpoint accuracy. It was fitted with 12.5 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns that helped its crew to hit targets on the ground and air, he said.

It is of great academic interest for the students. It is open to students of other schools and the general public also with no entry fee.