MS Dhoni meets Indian Army soldiers on Kashmir border
Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday met soldiers on the Line of Control (LoC) on Jammu and Kashmir's border with Pakistan, an official said.
"He interacted with soldiers and saw how the Indian Army works in forward areas," defence ministry spokesman Col. RK Palta told IANS.
Dhoni, who is also an honorary Lt Col in Territorial Army, went to areas close to the border after arriving in Jammu.
The army was proud to have such "an international icon as its brand ambassador," Palta said.
Dhoni will visit forward areas like Bhimbher Gali, Hamirpur, Kalsian, Nowshera and some other positions in Poonch and Rajouri districts donning army uniform.
According to Palta, the visit seeks "to boost the morale of troops who work in most inhospitable condition and to motivate local youths to join the army".
Dhoni will spend Saturday night in Rajouri.
He will also visit the Siachen Glacier in the second part of the tour of the state, an official said.
The Siachen Glacier, claimed by both India and Pakistan, is known to be the world's highest battle ground at a height of 18,875 feet above sea level.
It will be the first visit by Indian Army ambassador to Siachen.
Dhoni is scheduled to visit Udhampur, headquarter of the Northern Command, Sunday before watching the final of the first phase of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) at Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley.
Dhoni's visit is divided in two parts. He will return to Delhi Monday. The next day he will fly to Ladakh and the Siachen. His visit to Kaahmir concludes June 7.
Dhoni meets soldiers on Kashmir border - India - DNA
Dhoni wants to serve Army after cricket
Poonch, June 2: An honorary rank-holder for the time being, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday said he would "definitely" want to serve the Army actively once he bids adieu to the game.
Dhoni, who was inducted as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the elite Parachute Regiment last year, is in Poonch to visit the forward area of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region and also take a trip to the base camp of Siachen, the world's highest battlefield.
"Why I got here is because of cricket. I would like to serve actively only after cricket. I don't want my cricket to suffer because that is something I am good at. Once my cricket career is over, I would definitely like to serve in the Army," Dhoni told reporters.
The World Cup winning captain will visit the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur on Sunday before leaving for Srinagar on tour of 15 Corps. From there Dhoni will head for the 14 Corps area in Leh and also the Siachen base camp.
Dhoni will also visit north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Sunday to witness the final of the first phase of Kashmir Premier League (KPL) at the Shaukat Ali Stadium.
"I will try to go to the frontline. It is very exciting because I will get to see the challenges the officers face. I knew the Army from a distance. Now I am getting to know the Army from close quarters. This is the first time I have come to a forward post," he said.
The 30-year-old will also be interacting with the families of the Army officers posted in Poonch.
"Families (of the Army officers) come here at this time of the year and I will get a chance to interact with them and I am sure the next few days would be exciting," he said.
On the of-repeated issue of Indo-Pak bilateral cricket ties, Dhoni said, "It is important to make a start because sports is something that breaks barriers. The two boards have to decide when they decide to play each other. I have to go out there and play. So we will wait and see."
Dhoni wants to serve Army after cricket
Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday met soldiers on the Line of Control (LoC) on Jammu and Kashmir's border with Pakistan, an official said.
"He interacted with soldiers and saw how the Indian Army works in forward areas," defence ministry spokesman Col. RK Palta told IANS.
Dhoni, who is also an honorary Lt Col in Territorial Army, went to areas close to the border after arriving in Jammu.
The army was proud to have such "an international icon as its brand ambassador," Palta said.
Dhoni will visit forward areas like Bhimbher Gali, Hamirpur, Kalsian, Nowshera and some other positions in Poonch and Rajouri districts donning army uniform.
According to Palta, the visit seeks "to boost the morale of troops who work in most inhospitable condition and to motivate local youths to join the army".
Dhoni will spend Saturday night in Rajouri.
He will also visit the Siachen Glacier in the second part of the tour of the state, an official said.
The Siachen Glacier, claimed by both India and Pakistan, is known to be the world's highest battle ground at a height of 18,875 feet above sea level.
It will be the first visit by Indian Army ambassador to Siachen.
Dhoni is scheduled to visit Udhampur, headquarter of the Northern Command, Sunday before watching the final of the first phase of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) at Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley.
Dhoni's visit is divided in two parts. He will return to Delhi Monday. The next day he will fly to Ladakh and the Siachen. His visit to Kaahmir concludes June 7.
Dhoni meets soldiers on Kashmir border - India - DNA
Dhoni wants to serve Army after cricket
Poonch, June 2: An honorary rank-holder for the time being, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday said he would "definitely" want to serve the Army actively once he bids adieu to the game.
Dhoni, who was inducted as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the elite Parachute Regiment last year, is in Poonch to visit the forward area of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region and also take a trip to the base camp of Siachen, the world's highest battlefield.
"Why I got here is because of cricket. I would like to serve actively only after cricket. I don't want my cricket to suffer because that is something I am good at. Once my cricket career is over, I would definitely like to serve in the Army," Dhoni told reporters.
The World Cup winning captain will visit the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur on Sunday before leaving for Srinagar on tour of 15 Corps. From there Dhoni will head for the 14 Corps area in Leh and also the Siachen base camp.
Dhoni will also visit north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Sunday to witness the final of the first phase of Kashmir Premier League (KPL) at the Shaukat Ali Stadium.
"I will try to go to the frontline. It is very exciting because I will get to see the challenges the officers face. I knew the Army from a distance. Now I am getting to know the Army from close quarters. This is the first time I have come to a forward post," he said.
The 30-year-old will also be interacting with the families of the Army officers posted in Poonch.
"Families (of the Army officers) come here at this time of the year and I will get a chance to interact with them and I am sure the next few days would be exciting," he said.
On the of-repeated issue of Indo-Pak bilateral cricket ties, Dhoni said, "It is important to make a start because sports is something that breaks barriers. The two boards have to decide when they decide to play each other. I have to go out there and play. So we will wait and see."
Dhoni wants to serve Army after cricket
