BANGALORE: "He is a fighter... does not take things lying down." These were the remarks that his teacher put down in his school records.
Four decades later, when transnational giant Vodafone head Arun Sarin stuck one of the biggest business deals for India, he proved his teacher right, in many ways. Arun passed out of Military School Bangalore in 1970. A boarder (stayed on the school campus) throughout, Arun studied from class five to 11 in the Military School from 1963 to 1970.
"He was a recipient of the All India scholarship instituted by the Ministry of Defence for his entire study period here. He was an above average student and good at sports too. It is a great feeling to know our boy is such a big man today," school principal Lt Col S Manohar told ToI.
Arun's father Lt Col K Sarin was the school administrator between 1962-64 in the institution where his boys studied. During this period, Arun's brother Varun was also a student there. While Arun passed out in 1970, Varun completed course in 1968.
Giving it back to the school probably comes naturally to Arun. In 2002, when he visited the school, he decided to institute a scholarship for the top scorers in class 10 and 12. The Arun Sarin Scholarship gives a cash award to the topper boys in the school. "We are continuing to disburse the scholarships awards to our boys. Now, it is a bigger motivation for the recipients of Arun's scholarship," Lt Col Manohar stated.
Obviously, the school is elated to have such an illustrious alumnus. "Since he is in regular touch with the school, we hope he visits us when he comes to Bangalore.." Lt Col Manohar said.
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