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Major General Yogender Singh, (VSM) and Commodore Satpal Singh Conferring Honarary Colonel Rank on Dr. Hemlata K. Bagla while Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani applauds

Dr. Hemlata K Bagla, Vice-Chancellor, HSNC University, Mumbai, (State Public University), has been conferred with the rank of Honorary Colonel by the Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India. Major General Yogender Singh, Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Additional Director General (ADG) of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate, Maharashtra conferred the title in an official Pipping Ceremony. Dr. Bagla was also presented with the official gazette notification and ceremonial baton.

The prestigious conferment ceremony conducted at the Rama & Sundri Watumull Auditorium, Churchgate campus of HSNC University, Mumbai on 12th August 2024, was graced by Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Provost of HSNC University, Mumbai; Commodore Satpal Singh Director, NCC; Group Captain Sangram Naik; Group Captain Rakesh Kumar, Group Commander; Col AK Ahuja; Lt.. Colonel Mannat Hussain, Commanding Officer, 1 Maharashtra Battalion, NCC; Group Captain Sangram Naik, Commanding Officer, 1 Maharashtra Air Squadron, NCC; Dr. Kishu Mansukhani, Trustee, HSNC Board, along with members of the academic community, NCC cadets and the HSNC University fraternity.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Bagla expressed her heartfelt gratitude and added that the prestigious title is not merely a personal accolade but a testimony to the shared commitment and hard work of HSNC University, Mumbai and NCC to uphold the basic tenets of ‘unity & discipline’.

Reminiscing about her association with NCC, Dr. Bagla said, it dates back to her student days. “I feel enriched with the values of discipline and service to the nation that HSNC University inculcates in all NCC cadets. It is an honour for me to get this rank bestowed by the Ministry of Defence,”she added.

ADG Major General Yogender Singh also addressed the audience and urged NCC cadets to continue giving their best for excellence in all spheres of NCC activities. He advised the cadets to make the most of the learning gained from the experience and wished them high success in their future endeavours. He congratulated Dr. Bagla for her honorary rank and said that it would bring her in close contact with NCC units and shall enable greater interaction with officers and cadets of HSNC University under jurisdiction. Terming NCC as the brand ambassadors of unity, discipline, culture & heritage, he called upon the students to join the NCC.

Dr. Hiranandani congratulated Dr. Bagla and said that this honour is a testament of her exemplary leadership and service over the past three decades.“This honour is richly deserved and HSNC family is proud of all her achievements,” he added. A brief film encapsulating Dr. Bagla’s life journey, struggles and triumphs during her career was screened on the momentous occasion and Dr. Bagla was also given a ceremonial Guard of Honour by the NCC cadets.

Dr. Bagla's journey from being an NCC girl cadet to becoming the Honorary Colonel exemplifies determination, grit and perseverance. As an NCC girl cadet, young Hemlata trained in rappelling, rock-climbing, mountaineering, 0.5 mm rifle-shooting, signaling and first aid. As she acknowledged, "Being an NCC cadet was a way of life." The discipline, hard work, dedication and never-say-die attitude of NCC became ingrained in her and shaped her life. Life has come full circle for Dr. Bagla who earlier as a student trained under Captain Khurana of 4 Maharashtra Battalion and Major Sharma, both of whom she regards as her mentors. Her aspiration for the armed forces led her to apply for a medical seat in the prestigious AFMC Institute, Pune. However, fate had other plans.

She completed her PG at 20 years of age and attained her Ph.D. in Nuclear and Radiochemistry at 25, actualising the NCC values of discipline, commitment and hard work. The spirit of perseverance and thirst for knowledge led her to become a renowned scientist in the field of Nuclear and Radiochemistry.

Her fascination for the military uniform and pride in her country have brought her this far. She confessed "I have always been enamoured with the armed forces and the thought of serving my country has always been uppermost in my mind." Today, she is proud to represent her country as the sole Indian woman scientist in a 15-member team of international scientists of the International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA) which is working on a coordinated research project on medical devices.

During her tenure as Principal of K.C College, Dr. Hemlata K. Bagla felt the need to establish centres of NCC at her college. She immediately put this into action when she became Vice-Chancellor of HSNC University, Mumbai. Through her untiring efforts, K.C College is today the centre for Army and Air Force for NCC under the aegis of HSNC University. It is probably one of the first college & University to establish a Microlite Air Simulator for training its cadets. Young cadets learn precision of movement, correct form of address and train with unflagging energy

Dr. Bagla said her parents, teachers, eminent scientist icon Shri Homi Bhabha, mentors and students have always inspired her to give her best to all her endeavours. Her parents had the courage and foresight to allow her to work undettered by stereotypical conventions or social stigma. She recounted an incident from her college days when she ran to apprehend a miscreant who had dared to harass her female friend walking beside her and then run away swiftly. She asserted that it was the fearlessness of NCC that helped her run and catch the culprit and hold him till more help arrived

A distinguished scholar and trailblazing educator with a passion to spearhead a transformative, inclusive and meaningful education, Dr. Bagla mooted the idea of HSNC University and plunged headlong into the arduous journey of building an University par excellence, ably supported by the faculty and staff of all the constituent colleges and schools

You can view the recorded Pipping Ceremony here