Published 12:16 IST, August 15th 2019
Independence Day: Here's what Lt Col MS Dhoni is scheduled to be doing as India celebrates its 73rd I-Day
Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Singh Dhoni visited the Siachen Battle school on the 73rd Independence Day as his stint with the 106th battalion of the Territorial Army came to an end. The former Indian skipper undertook a visit to Ladakh to see how the Forces trained and functioned at high-altitude warfare training centers, according to sources.
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Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Singh Dhoni will visit the Siachen Battle school on the 73rd Independence Day as his stint with the 106th battalion of the Territorial Army comes to an end, according to sources. The former Indian skipper will reportedly undertake a visit to Ladakh (Siachen glacier) to see how the Forces trained and functioned at high-altitude warfare training centers, according to sources.
Lt Col MS Dhoni visits Ladakh on Independence Day
Lieutenant Colonel MS Dhoni joined the Indian Army troops in the south Kashmir region earlier in July in order to carry out patrolling, guard duties and similar responsibilities just like other brave soldiers of the country. During his visit to Ladakh on Independence Day, sources suggest that Dhoni will also be visiting the Siachen War Memorial to pay tribute and respects to the martyrs of the Indian freedom struggle.
The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas and is the second-longest glacier in the region where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends.
The 38-year-old visited Leh on August 12th and participated in training there. He also visited the Army Goodwill School, Bhudkut where he interacted with the students. During his training, the former skipper is said to have learned about patrolling, ammunition lessons and weapon firing. Dhoni was also reportedly taught about how to target an enemy and how to escape from becoming a target.
Dhoni's respect for the Forces
The Chennai Super Kings skipper has often worn his respect and admiration for India's forces on his sleeve, sometimes literally, as was witnessed at the recent World Cup when he wore the Balidan badge of the Territorial Army as an insignia on his gloves - which he was later asked to remove on account of the BCCI not having taken the ICC's permission thereby violating the apparel rules. At that time, Indians from all over the world had saluted MS Dhoni and supported his right to wear the insignia. Subsequent to the tournament, he chose to give Team India's West Indies tour the skip to pursue a stint with the Army, which was approved.
It was in 2011 that Dhoni was first inducted into the Territorial Army and awarded the honourary rank of Lieutenant Colonel at a ceremony in Agra. He has also completed five parachute jumps.
11:52 IST, August 15th 2019