« Back to article | Print this article |
India cricket captain and goodwill ambassador of the Indian army Mahendra Singh Dhoni spent his second day in Kashmir interacting with officers, troops and hospitalised jawans. He also met with the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) designate, Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General Om Prakash.
"Today Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) M.S. Dhoni, on the second day of his tour, met the GOC designate of Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General Om Prakash, who is scheduled to take over the reins on June 9, in the presence of the chief of staff, Major General Rajesh Arya," a defence spokesman said.
He also interacted with officers and troops of the Chinar Corps in Badami Bagh in addition to school children from downtown Srinagar.
"Thereafter, he met patients at the 92 Base Hospital and besides thanking them for their sacrifices in the duty of the nation, also presented them gifts," Lt Col J.S. Brar, Srinagar-based defence spokesperson said.
Speaking to the troops, he exhorted them to keep performing their tasks zealously, and also posed for a group photograph with them.
Dhoni arrived in Kashmir Valley Sunday and visited the Kaman bridge on the Line of Control (LoC).
The honorary Lt. Col in the Territorial Army had visited the forward areas in Jammu region on Saturday.
He visited the frontier district of Baramulla along the LoC in north Kashmir and interacted with the soldiers and the youth of the Valley.
"Soon after his arrival at the Srinagar airport, he was transported by a military helicopter to the forward border outpost of Kaman at Uri, where he interacted with the troops deployed there and also posed for a photo opportunity", Lt Col Brar said.
On arrival at Baramulla, he was received by Maj Gen Bipin Rawat, the General Officer Commanding of the Dagger Division.
Thereafter he interacted with the troops of the Baramulla Garrison at the Thimayya Hall and thanked them for keeping the country secure.
He also expressed his desire to serve the Indian army after his cricketing career is over and help motivating the youth to join the defence services.
Dhoni left for Delhi later in the day. He will visit Leh and Siachen on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thereafter, he met patients at the 92 Base Hospital, and besides thanking them for their sacrifices in the duty of the nation, presented them gifts.