Gorakhpur: In a moment of pride and celebration for Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Poonam Tandon has been honoured with the honorary title of ‘Colonel Commandant’ by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The prestigious recognition was awarded during a special ceremony held at the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath Research Centre within the university campus.
Prof. Tandon Becomes the First Woman Vice-Chancellor to Receive the Title
Prof. Poonam Tandon is now the only woman Vice-Chancellor in the country to have received this esteemed honour from the Ministry of Defence. The title was presented by Brigadier Parimal Bharti, Group Commander of NCC, Gorakhpur Group, who was the chief guest of the event.
Also present were Colonel Vishal Dubey, Deputy Group Commander, Gorakhpur Group; Colonel A. P. Singh, Commanding Officer of the 15 UP Girls Battalion; and Lieutenant Colonel Raman Tiwari, Commanding Officer of the 44 UP Battalion, Gorakhpur.
“An Honour for the Entire University”
Expressing her gratitude, Prof. Tandon said, “This is a tremendous honour. I don’t view this as a personal achievement but as recognition of the collective efforts and spirit of our university.”
Highlighting the deep-rooted connection between NCC and the university, she noted, “DDU Gorakhpur University was among the first institutions to be established after Independence in 1956—the same year NCC came into existence. This parallel history reflects our long-standing relationship.”
She further stated that over 350 active cadets from the university’s NCC unit are consistently engaged in community service, blood donation camps, and mock drills—activities that contribute significantly to national integration and public welfare.
Role of NCC in Student Development
“Training through NCC leaves a lasting impact on students’ personalities,” Prof. Tandon emphasized. “Each year, over 20 students from our university are selected for national and defence services. This reflects the discipline and skills instilled by NCC.”
She also expressed pride that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is an alumnus of the university and thanked the Ministry of Defence for the honour and continued support.
Brigadier Bharti Praises the University’s Commitment
In his address, Brigadier Parimal Bharti applauded the university’s contributions to NCC. “Both the 15 Girls Battalion and the 44 Battalion share a deep and direct association with this university. Under the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership, NCC activities have flourished with unprecedented positive engagement.”
He highlighted the infrastructure provided by the university for high-quality training, including obstacle courses and firing simulations, and commended Prof. Tandon for her support in arranging necessary equipment.
“NCC aims to inculcate discipline, leadership, and patriotism in cadets so they become responsible citizens contributing to national service,” Brigadier Bharti added.
Words of Wisdom from Kirti Chakra Awardee N. N. D. Dubey
N. N. D. Dubey, retired DIG and Kirti Chakra recipient, also spoke on the occasion, expressing joy at witnessing such a moment after 13 years. He extended heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Tandon and praised the performance of the Girls Battalion.
“The growth in NCC cadet numbers from 17 to 20 lakh shows our youth’s rising sense of national duty. We must remain vigilant and united in the face of ongoing geopolitical challenges. I’m confident the students of Gorakhpur University will reach great heights in public service and national development,” he said.
He also urged continued collaboration between the university and NCC, which he believes played a crucial role in successful missions like Operation Sindoor.
A Vote of Thanks from Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Shantanu Rastogi, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, concluded the ceremony with a vote of thanks, saying, “We are fortunate to be guided by a visionary leader like Prof. Tandon. We will continue to follow the path she has shown us.”
A Proud Moment for Gorakhpur
The event was attended by senior university faculty, deans, department heads, NCC officers including Prof. D. N. Maurya, Prof. Vinita Pathak, Dr. Anupam Singh, and hundreds of NCC cadets. The recognition stands as a milestone in the university’s legacy and underscores the role of women leaders in national service.
