BCCI President Anurag Thakur set to join the territorial army

BCCI President and BJP MP Anurag Thakur is all set to join the territorial army (TA). On Friday, he will be declared as a regular officer of the territorial army after clearing the required interviews. The TA personal interview was conducted in Chandigarh and the training was in Bhopal both of which Thakur successfully cleared. The BCCI President will now receive training for a year as a territorial army official.

Thakur, whose grandfather was an army official said in his interview that had always dreamt of joining the military. His career deviated from the military to Cricket and politics at a young age. The requirements to join the territorial army is to be a civilian professional. His profession, in a way, helped one of his childhood dreams come true, explained the BJP MP.

“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”, said Thakur, "I am keenly looking forward to my training and serving the country. I have always had the passion of joining the army. I have seen many youngsters sacrifice their lives for the nation."

Anurag Thakur explained that he wants to solve some issues which he has himself seen as an MP but now he feels that things will be more transparent to him. He was quoted saying, "Now I will be able to see the conditions from inside and will be in a better position to raise issues as an MP."

Former Indian skippers Kapil Dev and Mahendra Singh Dhoni were presented with the honorary rank of Lt. Colonel in 2008 and 2011 respectively. Sachin Tendulkar was presented with the honorary title of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force in 2010.