Principal – Bhartiya Sainik School, Sikar

Colonel Jitendra Kumar Balwada, Shaurya Chakra (Retd)

Colonel Jitendra Kumar Balwada (Retd), recipient of the prestigious Shaurya Chakra, is the respected Principal of Bhartiya Sainik School, Sikar. With over 31 years of distinguished service in the Indian Army, Colonel Balwada brings unmatched leadership, discipline and educational expertise to the institution.

An alumnus of Sainik School Chittorgarh and the National Defence Academy, he holds a Master's Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies and diplomas in Defence Management. His military career includes commanding an Infantry Fighting Unit, serving in a key role in the NATIONS Peacekeeping Mission in Ethiopia-Eritrea and managing administrative operations for over 15,000 personnel. He has also held senior instructional roles at the Officers Training Academy, Chief Instructor at Regimental Training Centre and served as Director of NCC Rajasthan, significantly contributing to youth development and national integration.

For his act of gallantry in anti-terrorist operations in Jammu & Kashmir, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra by the President of India in year 1996. He also earned the Force Commander’s Commendation in the United Nations Mission.

Colonel Balwada is supported by a loving family. His wife is a dedicated teacher, his elder daughter is proudly serving as a Captain in the Indian Army and his younger daughter has completed Master’s Degree in Economics from Delhi School of Economics.

With his rich background in education, operations, and youth leadership, Colonel Balwada is committed to instilling a spirit of patriotism, discipline and excellence among the cadets at Bhartiya Sainik School, Sikar.

SHAURYA CHAKRA

Captain Jitendra Kumar (IC-51532), 3 Grenadiers

Captain Jitendra Kumar was commanding a company in village Raj Ram Di Lari in Jammu and Kashmir.

In an encounter with ten terrorists at Raja Ram Di Lari on 29 April 1995, the troops were unable to achieve good results due to poor visibility. On being informed that only two terrorists could be neutralised, the officer displaying keen tactical sense ordered the ambush party commander to maintain contact with remaining terrorists by fire and to channelise them towards the Narki Baihk ambush site. He also moved towards the site. This resulted in killing of three more terrorists. The remaining five terrorists realising the trap, started climbing up along a brook to reach out of the firing range. Captain Jitendra Kumar, moved up faster than the terrorists along with five other ranks and charged them from top spraying bullets, killing all the five terrorists. They were later identified as Afghan mercenaries.

Captain Jitendra Kumar, thus, displayed courage, determination and leadership qualities of exceptionally high order.