Defence Ministry Ropes In MS Dhoni In Baijayant Panda-Headed Expert Committee

New Delhi: The Union Defence ministry has roped in former Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as part of an expert committee to review the functioning of National Cadet Corps (NCC).

Odisha’s Baijayant Panda, BJP’s national vice-president, will head the committee.

“Ministry of Defence has constituted a High-Level Expert Committee, under the chairmanship of former Member of Parliament Shri Baijayant Panda, for a comprehensive review of National Cadet Corps (NCC) in order to make it more relevant in changing times,” stated the ministry.

Besides Dhoni, the expert committee also includes industrialist Anand Mahindra, former Union Sports minister and Olympic medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Jamia Millia Islamia Vice-Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar and former VC, SNDT Women’s University Vasudha Kamat.

Dhoni was awarded honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army and is a qualified paratrooper, having done five parachute training jumps from Indian Army aircraft.

Also Read: Dhoni To Serve With Army In Kashmir

The expert committee has been tasked with suggesting “measures which can empower NCC cadets to contribute more effectively towards nation-building and national developmental efforts in various sectors.”

It will also “propose measures for gainful engagement of its Alumni for the betterment of the organisation as a whole and to study and recommend best practices of similar international youth organizations for inclusion in the NCC curriculum,” added the ministry.

NCC is the largest uniformed organization which creates a pool of organized, trained and motivated youth with leadership qualities in all walks of life.