Young cadets should uphold the qualities like ethics, value and honesty while serving the nation, he said inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of Sainik School, Kazhakootam near here.
"We are getting requests to open more Sainik schools across the country. The government is showing keen interest on the infrastructure development of these schools. Rs 44 crore had been allotted in the last budget to improve its infrastructure," Antony said.
He also reminded the students the need to safe guard the unity and integrity of the nation.
The minister also inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Memorial gate which was constructed to mark the occasion and the Olympic standard swimming pool at the school ground.
Later, he reviewed the Guard of Honor presented by the school NCC Contingent.
Shashi Tharoor MP, M A Vahid MLA, Air Marshal S Mukerji, Upamanyu Chatterjee IAS, joint secretary (trg)& CAO MoD, Lt General G M Nair, Military Secretary, Air Marshal Rajinder Singh, Rear Admiral Ajith Kumar and school principal Captain B Janardhanan attended the function.