Mohanlal begins military training
For a change, there was none to call ''action'' or ''cut.'' But superstar Mohanlal who began post-commission field training on Friday after being inducted into the Territorial Army went about his chores with considerable ease.
Lt Col (Hon) Mohanlal reached the parent unit of the 122 Infantry Battallion of Territorial Army at Kannur on Thursday evening where he was ceremonially received by the pipe and band wing. He later attended a get-together of army personnel and their families at the parade ground. Welcoming him wholeheartedly were slogans like “Hamara Lal Jai Ho.”
On Friday morning, the actor got up at 4 am in preparation of what was an elaborate day and night training in the basics of various physical and battle skills. At 6 am, he began physical training along with other armymen for about 45 minutes before attending a meeting by battalion Commandant Col Davidson Kolath. Around 10.30 am, Mohanlal was in military fatigues inspecting various weapons as a prelude to undergoing training at the firing range. In the afternoon, he learnt to fire using different types of rifles, something which won the admiration of the army personnel. Some of them said he learnt “quite fast’’ by standards.
The actor would be the centre of attraction at the civic reception on Saturday evening. A contingent of the battalion would stage a march-past to the Jawahar Stadium, the venue of the reception. Floats and weapon display would be arranged as part of the march past. The reception would be followed by a cultural programmes. Kolath said the presence of the actor would inspire youths to join the Territorial Army, which is a citizen’s army.
Elaborate arrangements were made at the Territorial Army unit for offering the actor mandatory post-commission training. He had already completed pre-commission and commission training in New Delhi following the conferment of the honour in June last year.
