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Catholic priest made honorary colonel

A Catholic priest in Karnataka state had made history when he became the first-ever padre to be elevated to honorary Colonel by the Indian Defence establishment. Father Abraham Vettiyankal Mani, the vice-chancellor of Christ University, Bengaluru, has been conferred with the honorary rank of Colonel Commandant in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) by the Ministry of Defence.
Father Abraham Vettiyankal Mani has been conferred with the honorary rank of Colonel Commandant in the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

A Catholic priest in Karnataka state had made history when he became the first-ever padre to be elevated to honorary Colonel by the Indian Defence establishment.

Father Abraham Vettiyankal Mani, the vice-chancellor of Christ University, Bengaluru, has been conferred with the honorary rank of Colonel Commandant in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) by the Ministry of Defence.

Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh, AVSM, VSM, the director-general of NCC, performed the official pipping ceremony on February 25 at the Parachute Regiment Training Centre Bengaluru.

“This privilege has been accorded to only three vice-chancellors from Karnataka and 11 in India in 2022 by the Ministry of Defence,” said a press release. This recognition is based on the contributions of the University to NCC with its cadets joining armed and paramilitary forces in significant numbers, the release added.

Only three universities have been selected for the honour this year, and Christ University was the top among them to promote students to NCC.

The NCC wing at Christ University is one of the 'most feted'  of the Karnataka-Goa NCC Directorate for its achievements in the field, reported News Trail.

The recognition is based on contributions of the University to the NCC with its cadets joining armed and paramilitary forces in significant numbers, the infrastructure and facilities provided for NCC training at the Campuses, and being the first to introduce NCC as a credit course in the country.

Father Abraham is the first Indian Catholic priest to be honored for his outstanding contributions to promoting the National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme in Christ University in the past decade.

“The Christ University has promoted NCC as a priority program and this has resulted in students joining the armed and paramilitary forces in significant numbers. Vice-Chancellor Abraham also provided good infrastructure and facilities for NCC training at the University Campus,” said the director-general.

"The University has upheld the aims of the National Cadet Corps to develop character, commandership, discipline, leadership, secular outlook, adventure and the ideals of selfless service among the youth of the country."

Christ University had introduced compulsory village exposure and served in rural areas to form its students as socially sensitive citizens.

Father Abraham told a Catholic news portal that the recognition was for the Christ University, and he received it on behalf of the deemed university.

“Over the past years, we have given top priority to prepare our students to the administrative or defence services, other than encouraging them to go abroad,” said the priest.

Established in 1969 as Christ College, the university undertook path-breaking initiatives in Indian higher education by introducing innovative and modern curricula, imparting holistic education.

The University Grants Commission of India conferred autonomy to the college in 2004 and identified it as an institution with potential for Excellence in 2006.  On its rolls are over 27,000 students in various disciplines.

With reports from Matters India.

 

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