Jadavpur, Kalyani varsity V-Cs granted 'Honorary Colonel' rank

Kolkata: Indian government on Monday conferred the rank of 'Colonel' to the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Jadavpur University (JU) Professor Suranjan Das and Professor Sankar Kumar Ghosh of Kalyani University.

The duo was appointed as 'Colonel Commandant' in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) at an event at Fort William.

The guest of honour at the event was state Education minister Partha Chatterjee while Lt. Gen PP Malhotra, VSM, DG NCC was the chief guest. Several dignitaries from the Indian Army were also present. The V-Cs sported uniforms of the conferred ranks while the two guests pinned the accoutrements onto the uniforms of both the Vice-Chancellors.

In his address, Chatterjee said: " I convey my best wishes to the Army and NCC for conferring this prestigious 'Colonel' rank to both the esteemed V-Cs of Jadavpur and Kalyani University and appointing them as 'Colonel Commandant' in NCC. It is indeed a gold-letter day.

The professionalism and commitment with which the Army officers and instructors are training the cadets is praiseworthy."

JU V-C Suranjan Das said: "It is recognition for the entire state than just for an individual. It is an overall recognition for higher education in this state.

Sankar Kumar Ghosh, V-C of KU said: "We have an NCC academy on our campus and we are interacting with the youth and promoting them towards nationalism."

It may be mentioned that the conferring of the rank of the Colonel Commandant aims at increased patronage and purposeful association for the furtherance

of NCC activities.

It also enhances interaction of Vice-Chancellors with cadets and officers to help and guide them through their educational and NCC career.