Mangaluru : D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari, Dharmasthala, inaugurated the Sainik Bhavan building at Light House Hill here on Sunday, July 26.

Speaking after inauguration D. Veerendra Heggade, said that introducing defence services to students at the early age might prompt them to serve the country later by joining defence forces.

Mr. Heggade said that joining the National Cadet Corps was mandatory for students earlier, but not now.

He also said, there was a need to introduce lessons in school textbooks on the sacrifices made by defence personnel in protecting the country.

The syllabi of schools should also expose students on the defence force services, they said.

N. Vinay Hegde, Chancellor, Nitte University, said that the services of defence personnel in saving the country were equal to none. But, school textbooks did not have lessons on the career opportunities in armed forces, services rendered by them and sacrifices made by war heroes.

The bhavan had been built under the auspices of Dakshina Kannada District Ex-Servicemen’s Association on five cents at Light House Hill. According to the president of the association N Sharath Bhandary, the 5,700 sq. ft. building had been built at an estimated cost of Rs. 70 lakh.

He said that Ganesh Karnik, MLC, released Rs. 11 lakh from his area development fund while the former Mangaluru City South MLA N. Yogish Bhat sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh.

Mr. Karnik said the association could organise guidance programmes for students at the building on how to join armed forces and conduct self-employment training programmes. A souvenir titled ‘Samarpana’ was released and there was a cultural programme.

Earlier, the association observed Kargil Diwas at the War Memorial, Kadri Hills.