Founder VC of Punjab Sports University Lt Gen Jagbir Singh Cheema honoured by CM
KI Singh/ royalpatiala.in/ Chandigarh
Founder Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala, Lieutenant General Jagbir Singh Cheema PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retired) recipient of three time Army Commanders Commendation Cards for distinguished service/gallantry, former Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (DCOAS) has been bestowed with ‘Sri Guru Nank Dev Achiever Award ‘by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, on the occasion of 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji for serving the nation and having vast operational and administrative experience.
Lt Gen Cheema commissioned into 10 SIKH Regiment in June 1979, the General Officer tenanted critical command and staff appointments across the entire spectrum of conflict in diverse regions. He commanded 10 SIKH on the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir and the International Border in Punjab during the Kargil War. After commanding an Infantry Brigade on the Line of Control in High Altitude Area of Kashmir Valley and a Mountain Division in Central India he commanded the Jalandhar based 11 Corps responsible for the security of Punjab against external aggression. As Corps Commander, he organized a National Exhibition in New Delhi to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of India’s victory in the 1965 India-Pakistan War. He provided tremendous impetus for development of sports infrastructure in Jalandhar to include the remodelled State-of-the-Art Sports Complex named after the legendary hockey Olympian Late Colonel Haripal Kaushik VrC (Retired) and Hockey Astroturf ground.
He ensured the long-pending payment of entitlements of nearly one lakh pensioners and launched number of long-term welfare schemes for the veterans of Punjab. As Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, he was responsible for the organization, management, development and promotion of sports and initiated a process of constructive engagement and synergized effort with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, Sports Authority of India and National Sports Federations to optimize Army talent. As Divisional Commander and Chief of Staff he conducted extensive Relief and Rescue Operations during the floods in Uttarakhand in 2013 and in Srinagar in 2014 respectively. As Commanding Officer he inspired peak performance of all ranks resulting in the Unit being adjudged the Best Battalion for all-round-excellence for two consecutive years at the formation level. As a young Captain, he led the SIKH Regiment Army Contingent in the Republic Day Parade 1985. He served on the Siachen Glacier and in counter-terrorist operations in J&K.
Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh appointed Lt. Gen Jagbir Singh Cheema as founder VC of Punjab Sports University, Patiala as he is a strategic leader with a penchant for optimization of the human resource and deep passion for sports, having been an excellent athlete himself (Best Athlete and Best Sportsman IMA), he envisions to promote and uplift the standard of Sports in Punjab by creating a competency-based ecosystem through scientific coaching, sports science and psychological conditioning.
He said that it is a matter of great pride for him as this award comes to him at the time of 550th celebration of Guru Nanak Dev ji.
