India / Dhoni, Mahindra part of Defence Ministry’s high level expert committee to review NCC

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has constituted a high-level expert committee, under the chairmanship of former MP Baijayant Panda, for a comprehensive review of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in order to make it more relevant in changing times. Interestingly, the other members of the committee include former India cricket captain MS Dhoni, MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra, news agency ANI reported.

It may be noted that MS Dhoni already holds the rank of an honorary Lt Colonel in the Territorial Army. He was also trained at the prestigious parachute regiment of the Indian Army for over a month.

Mahindra, one of the most prominent businessmen in the country has been a contributor to the country's defence manufacturing programmes through the defence vertical of his business. Most recently, officials of Mahindra Defence were in a contingent of business heads who interacted with the Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane.

Mahindra has previously advocated the Army's 'Tour of Duty' proposal, which involves allowing civilians, including young working professionals to work in the Army for a limited period of time.

The Modi government has been focused on transforming the NCC. It may be noted that the MoD had approved the expansion of the NCC in August 2020. The expansion was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech in 2020. PM had said that the NCC will be expanded to coastal and remote areas to ensure that these areas get trained manpower and the youth of the country get the experience of working for a trained force at an early age.