BCCI chief Anurag Thakur joins Territorial Army

Anurag Thakur, BJP MP and BCCI President, is set for a new innings as an officer of the Territorial Army. Thakur (41) will be commissioned into the Territorial Army (TA) as a regular officer on Friday to become the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to join the territorial force. Thakur made it to the TA after clearing an exam and a personal interview conducted in Chandigarh and training held in Bhopal. As a regular officer, the Lok Sabha member from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh will have to undergo a mandatory training. The Territorial Army, the second line of defence after the regular army, is composed of volunteers who receive military training for about a month in a year so that in case of an emergency they can be mobilised for the defence of the country. The Territorial Army is not a profession, occupation or a source of employment. It is only meant for people who are already in civilian professions. In fact, gainful employment or self-employment in a civil profession is a pre-requisite for joining the Territorial Army. "I am very excited. It is a dream come true for me. I always wanted to wear the (military) uniform and contribute to the country's security, but could not," he said. `I am keenly looking forward to my training and serving the country," he added.