The Hindu : National : Mohanlal joins Territorial Army

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Friday, Jul 10, 2009
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Mohanlal joins Territorial Army

Special Correspondent

— Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Mohanlal, who joined the Territorial Army, being greeted by Defence Minister A.K.Antony as Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, the actor’s wife and son look on at South Block in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Film actor Mohanlal on Thursday was formally inducted into the Territorial Army and granted the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel. Chief of the Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor formally piped Mr. Mohanlal at a function at the Army headquarters.

Lt. Col. (Hony) Mohanlal, who has been in the film industry for over three decades, has won many accolades, including four national awards. He has also been awarded Padma Shri.

He will be affiliated with the Kerala based 122 Infantry battalion (Territorial Army) Madras (Kannur Terriers). He is the second recent high-profile personality after Kapil Dev to don the Territorial Army uniform, a Defence Ministry release said.

Lt. Col. Mohanlal said: “it is truly a proud moment for me to have been granted an honorary rank during the Diamond Jubilee year of the Territorial Army. I will try to serve the Territorial Army to the best of my ability in my newly assigned role. Like others in our country, I pride the armed forces and it is dream come true that I can now serve shoulder to shoulder with our Officers/ JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officers) and men.”

The actor said he looked forward to witness the Prime Minister’s Territorial Army Day Parade to be held here in October.

A visit to his battalion would be an important agenda for him, he said.

Corrections and Clarifications

A report "Mohanlal joins Territorial Army" (July 10, 2009) said that the actor has won four national awards, which led to a query. The Special Correspondent clarifies: The mention of four awards was made in the Ministry of Defence press release after the actor was inducted into the Territorial Army. They are: 1989 - Special Jury Award for "Kireedam", 1991- Best Actor Award for "Bharatam", 1999 - Best Actor for "Vanaprastham" and 1999 - Best Film for "Vanaprastham" as the Producer.

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