41 recruit religious teachers commissioned as JCOs in Army

PUNE: A total of 41 recruits of the Recruit Religious Teacher (RRT) Course -79 were commissioned as Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) in the Army at a passing-out parade at Institute of National Integration (INI), Pune recently.
The parade marked the culmination of an 11-week advanced training course of these recruits at the institute.
The role of religious teachers is not limited to saying prayers and performing rituals, but has been expanded to act as psychological counselor and mental health mentor in times of stress.
The INI, Pune, established in February 1985, has grown from strength to strength and offers six courses including the RRT, Religious Teacher Refresher course, Behavioural and Social Sciences Course for officers, Behavioural and Social Sciences Course for personnel below officers rank (PBOR), National Integration Course for PBOR and Junior Leader Proficiency test.
The institute strives to act as a centre for training excellence in behavioural and social sciences and prepare religious teachers for effective discharge of prescribed role in the units and in so doing to foster and promote the ethos of national integration in the Army.
Pandit Harsvardhan Vashisth was awarded General Officer Commanding –in-Chief, Army Training Command gold medal for being the best recruit.
The commandant's silver medal was awarded to Religious Teacher pandit Deepak Bandewar for the best discourse during the course.
Brig K Birendra Singh Commandant, INI presented medals to these religious teachers. He also presented gaurav padak (medal of honour) to the parents of religious teachers during the ceremony.