Anurag Thakur, BJP MP and BCCI President, is set for a new innings as an officer of the Territorial Army. 41-year-old Thakur 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 military 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 mainstay 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.
Thakur, whose grand father was in the army, said he initially wanted to join the armed forces but could not do so as his career got diverted to cricket and politics.
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