PU vice-chancellor is a 'colonel' now

CHANDIGARH: For a civilian to get a rank of a colonel is something big. However, for a vice chancellor of the Panjab University, especially for a person of Pathak''s stature, does it hold any good?
The National Cadet Corps (NCC),which solicits and receives numerous favours from various individuals and organisations, repays the courtesy by honouring them with the rank of the colonel.
Until last year, for his outstanding career as a physicist, K.N. Pathak won numerous honours including the Bhatnagar Award and Goyal Award. Last year, he took up the job of an administrator as the V-C of Panjab University, that won him many social service awards.
University sources say, even the Nobel Prize Committee consults him about nominees for the physics Nobel award.
But the V-C feels elevated over the latest honour and says, "I think it is customary to honour V-Cs. It is nice to be associated with an organisation that contributes in making the students successful in all spheres of life."
Brig. D.S. Dhillon, deputy director general of the NCC directorate, says that over the years, university V-Cs, along with eminent personalities, have been given the rank of a ''colonel'' as an appreciation for the out-andout services rendered by them.
In fact, the Maharaja of Patiala was honoured as a colonel of the Sikh Regiment; Karan Singh as colonel of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles; Lt. Gen. O.P. Kaushik, V-C of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rothak as a NCC colonel and even the present army commander was also given the same title, he says.
"Even though Gen. Vijh is a full ''General'', he is also a ''colonel'' of the Dogra Regiment." Colonel Aswini Sharma, group commander of NCC Chandigarh unit, says, "Prof Pathak has contributed immensely for the success of many NCC camps and meetings by providing space within the PU campus and also usage of PU auditoriums and hostels."
Says Sharma, "What''s more, Prof Pathak is also instrumental in introducing NCC in Panjab University from April 2004, but due to exams no progress has been made on this front. Till date, no NCC existed at PU." The honours will be given by the Chandigarh unit in June at a guard of honour by the NCC cadets.
But unlike a commissioned officer, the honorary rank will provide no financial benefits except for a citation and a colonel''s dress with accoutrements. It is just like an honorary doctorate given to ministers and eminent persons, says Col Sharma. However, on laying down the office, the person will lose his rank, Sharma added.