Anurag Thakur becomes Lieutenant in the Indian territorial army

Member of Parliament and BCCI president Anurag Thakur has been commissioned into the Indian Territorial army as the lieutenant by the Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag at New Delhi’s South Block on Friday.

The Territorial Army is not a profession, occupation or a source of employment. It is only meant for people who are already in mainstay civilian professions. In fact, gainful employment or self-employment in a civil profession is a pre-requisite for joining the Territorial Army.

“I will continue to serve the people by being their voice in Parliament & serve my country as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army,” Thakur tweeted.

Thakur had broken this news yesterday. He said, “I have always had the passion of joining the army. I have seen many youngsters sacrifice their lives for the nation,” said the MP from Himachal Pradesh where there is a general culture of sending youths to the army.

He also revealed he had initially wanted to join the armed forces but could not do so as his career got diverted to cricket and politics.

Thakur’s father Prem Kumar Dhumal, former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, and his family members were also present during the commissioning.

Thakur is looking forward to becoming an active part of the force. He said there are several issues concerning the forces which he had seen and dealt with from outside but “now I will be able to see the conditions from inside and will be in a better position to raise issues as an MP.”