‘Colonel’ Sobti promises to lead from the front

AN elated Professor R C Sobti,the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University,was seen in his new avatar of an Honorary Colonel in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) on Thursday,as he spent the day on the campus in his brand new uniform. Shouldering the additional responsibility bestowed upon him with the new honour,he announced to participate in the NCC drills in order to motivate students to get themselves enrolled in it.

Sobti is the twelfth vice-chancellor from the country to have been honoured with the rank. Major General M S Virk,Additional Director General (ADG) of NCC for Panjab,Haryana,Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh,conferred the honorary rank on Prof Sobti on behalf of the Government of India. “With this honour,apart from internal happiness,there is also a sense of responsibility and accountability on me. Though NCC was introduced on the campus last year only after the requirement was brought to my notice,I would endeavour that the number of enrolled students increases manifold in the coming months from the present 48. I may not have been serious enough in this direction earlier,but after this honour and respect,I have to pay it back,” said Sobti.

Known for setting examples by taking initiatives himself,be it using a bicycle instead of four-wheelers,picking up litter from the campus,planting trees or even sweeping the campus to send a signal of keeping it clean,Sobti could now be soon seen participating in the drills. “Why not? I was an active NCC cadet during my school and college days and have participated in camps at Taradevi and Jamburi,” he said.

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Congratulating the V-C,Major General Virk said the “Colonel of the Regiment” was an honor conferred upon distinguished and senior officers in the armed forces. He said he hoped that V-C in uniform would further boost the morale of the students.

He said that there were 13 lakh NCC cadets all over the country,which would be increased to 15 lakh in a phased manner.

In a letter addressed to Sobti,NCC Director-General Lt Gen P S Bhalla said this appointment would bring the V-C in closer contact with NCC units,enabling him to interact with officers and cadets to guide them to uphold the ideals of NCC.

After the piping ceremony,Sobti took a guard of honour from the contingents of NCC cadets and interacted with officers,cadets and the media.