Punjab Newsline, Bathinda-
The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, hosted the DISHA Induction Publicity Exhibition Vehicle (IPEV) Drive – XVI on Tuesday, 5th August 2025. Organised under the aegis of the DISHA Cell, Air Headquarters, this event aimed to showcase exciting career opportunities in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and to inspire the youth to pursue a life of honour, discipline, and national service.
On this occasion, Wing Commander Nishant Kulshrestra, Squadron Leader Abhimanyu Kadian, Flight Lieutenant Gursharan from DISHA Cell, Air Headquarters, and Wing Commander Shweta Pandey, along with their team from Air Force Station Bhisiana, visited the campus. They interacted with CU Punjab students and provided detailed guidance on career prospects in the IAF.
At the commencement of the programme, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra Prasad Tiwari extended a cordial welcome to the dignitaries and paid tribute to the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces. Highlighting India’s global reputation as a ‘soft power’ rooted in its heritage of yoga, Ayurveda, and spiritual wisdom, he emphasized the need for the nation to also assert itself as a ‘hard power’ in order to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat. Prof. Tiwari underlined the pivotal role of the youth in this journey and encouraged students to explore careers in the armed forces, describing it as a noble path where honour, responsibility, and service to the nation converge.
The highlight of the event was the technologically advanced IPEV—a mobile exhibition unit equipped with a flight simulator, Glasstron headset, interactive touchscreen kiosks, virtual reality devices, miniature aircraft models, G-suits, and LED displays. Students engaged in immersive experiences, trying out the simulator and exploring the technologies used by the IAF.
Students from various departments enthusiastically participated in the event, lining up to experience the simulator and engage in discussions with IAF personnel. They received valuable insights into multiple entry routes into the force, including the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), and learned about career paths in the Flying, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical) branches.
Towards the end of the programme, Prof. Sanjeev Thakur, Dean, Students’ Welfare, expressed gratitude to the DISHA Cell team and Air Force Station, Bhisiana, for bringing this informative and motivational initiative to the university campus. University officials appreciated the efforts of the Indian Air Force in fostering a sense of patriotism, discipline, and national pride among the youth.
This IPEV drive was flagged off from Vijay Chowk, New Delhi, on 28th July 2025 and is scheduled to cover various educational institutions across Punjab in the coming days.