India confers honorary Colonel Rank on 19 Vice Chancellors to boost strategic culture & university collaboration

The initiative aims to enhance the NCC’s presence within universities by appointing these VCs as Colonel Commandants during their tenure. (Image used for representation purpose: Source X)

The government has conferred the honorary rank of Colonel on 19 Vice Chancellors (VCs) from various universities nationwide, officially noted in the Gazette of India. This honour recognises the substantial contributions of these academics to the educational sector and seeks to integrate them more closely into the broader national strategic culture.

Recognising Academic Leaders

Several notable figures, such as Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr Jayakara SM from Bangalore University, and others across the country, are honoured. This diverse group highlights the initiative’s broad reach and academia’s crucial role in fostering well-disciplined, ethically responsible, and nationally conscious youth through the National Cadet Corps (NCC)

Strengthening National Cadet Corps (NCC) & Military Recruitment

The initiative aims to enhance the NCC’s presence within universities by appointing these VCs as Colonel Commandants during their tenure. This move is designed to inculcate strong values of discipline and patriotism among students, strengthen their commitment to national service, and potentially ease the challenges faced in military recruitment, especially within the officer cadre.

Lieutenant General Harsha Kakar (Retd), a noted defence analyst and writer, emphasised the impact of these appointments and clarified certain misconceptions, stating, “It is encouraging more to join. The army has no role. NCC functions under the MoD. Those given NCC honorary ranks wear them on ceremonial occasions, which motivates more to join.”

Serving Officers & Veterans Support

The initiative has received widespread support from serving officers and military veterans. Discussions among ex-servicemen (ESM) circles, enriched with insights from serving Indian Army officers, emphasise the initiative’s strategic importance. It is seen as a means to strengthen the ties between educational institutions and the armed forces beyond recognising individual achievements. Furthermore, it’s an effort to appreciate the efforts of other nation builders and not just sporting legends.

Academic Leaders as Pillars of National Service

Many educators, now recognised with honorary titles, are celebrated for shaping the nation’s future through their roles in academia. “We celebrate educators who mould our nation’s future by conferring Honorary Colonel ranks to VCs by conferring Honorary Colonel ranks to VCs. Let’s value their role in nation-building through value education and academic enrichment in our youth,” a serving Colonel who was associated with NCC noted.

Building a Disciplined Future

The role of the NCC in universities is highlighted as key in promoting military values and discipline among students. This strategy is supported by the ESM community and aims to develop a disciplined future while avoiding any perceptions of favouritism or triviality associated with the honorary ranks, as some sections of social media have highlighted.

Bridging Civilian Contributions with National Defence

The honorary ranks symbolise a crucial link between civilian achievements and military contributions, fostering a holistic approach to national security. This improves civil-military relations, which is vital for creating a cohesive strategic culture in the modern era, including intellectual and ethical development.

Affirming the Role of Educators in National Security

This widespread endorsement from the veteran community, coupled with perspectives from serving officers, spotlights the significant consensus on the importance of integrating educational leadership into the broader national security framework. This proactive approach promises to advance academic excellence and contribute to the nation’s security and developmental goals, enhancing future generations’ preparedness and patriotic zeal.