Lieutenant Colonel Kapil Dev Nikhanj

LT COLONEL Kapil Dev Nikhanj, this is how Kapil is going to be addressed from now onwards. Kapil, the famous cricketer from Haryana, who led India to the single world cup victory in 1983 has been commissioned as an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army (TA). Kapil was inducted into the 150 TA (Infantry) battalion of the Punjab Regiment in a ceremony held on September 24, at the army headquarters.

Now Kapil will be affiliated with the Delhi-based 150 TA (Punjab) Battalion under the western command. Army chief, General Deepak Kapoor piped the badges of rank on Kapil’s proud shoulders at the ceremony in the army headquarters in the presence of TA additional director general major general KVS Lalotra.

Kapil appeared in oliver green uniform and his conduct was like that of a true army man. Kapil looked great in his uniform and accepted the commissioning, coming to attention and smartly saluting, as perfectly as any professional army officer would do. After being commissioned for the honorary post, Kapil said, “This is my second innings. Earlier, I used to fight for the country in my white uniform and now I will do the same in this green army uniform.”

Kapil, as a lieutenant colonel, would definitely turn out to be a role model for the army personnel and his induction in TA would be a moral booster for officers and troops to see a noted personality associated with them. An army officer said, “If he visits troops in the field, he would be wearing a uniform and it would have an inspiring impact on the rank and file.”

We all hope that Kapil turns out to be a encouraging factor for the youth of the country and performs his best in the capacity of an ambassador for the forces. Way to go lieutenant colonel Kapil Dev Nikhanj!