INDIA. Mumbai: The Republic Day camp (RDC) 2022 for the NCC during “Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav” (75 years of independence) and Swarnim Vijay Varsh (Golden jubilee of India’s victory in 1971 Indo-Pak war) culminated with the PM’s Rally at Carriappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment on Friday.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wore the signature bottle green colored turban with red badge hackle clipped to his headgear as he inspected the Guard of Honour and reviewed March Past by NCC contingents. He also witnessed the NCC cadets displaying their skills in army action, slithering, microlight flying, and parasailing as well as cultural programs.
“I am proud that I was also an active member of NCC. Our govt is taking several steps to strengthen the NCC. A large number of girl cadets participated in the rally, this is the change India is witnessing today,” Modi said while addressing the event. Additionally, he also mentioned that in the last two years, over one lakh new NCC cadets were added in border areas.
“We all need to connect with the roots of India. We can change India’s future with your determination and support. The youth of the country can play a big role in ‘vocal for local’ and to make India self-reliant. Drug addiction destroys the life of youngsters, we need to fight against this. The drugs should not reach the school/college where there is NCC or NSS. Help the friends who are not in NCC-NSS to give up this bad habit too”, he stressed.
Modi said 90 universities across the country have chosen the NCC as an elective subject and this was a good sign. After the culmination of the rally, Modi distributed medals and batons to the NCC candidates.
Republic Day Camp
Cadets from 17 NCC Directorates from various states participated in the month-long RDC. The Maharashtra Directorates had fielded a Contingent of 57 Cadets, both boys, and girls, drawn from various districts of the state.
In the camp, the cadets did their best in various competitions like Drill, Rajpath Marching, Guard of Honour to PM, PM’s Rally Line Layout, Flag Area briefing, and cultural event. The consistent excellent performance of the contingent throughout the camp in all events saw the Maharashtra NCC Directorate being adjudged the Best Directorate.
Modi presented the prestigious PM Banner to Maj Gen Y P Khanduri, Additional Director General, NCC Directorate Maharashtra. Senior Under Officer Siddhesh Jadhav was the Banner Bearer and Cadet Captain Nikita Khot was the Trophy bearer. The prestigious PM Banner was won by the State Directorate after seven years. In 2014 Maharashtra NCC had won the PM banner. Last year it was a runner-up.
The winning PM banner was a proud moment for Maharashtra. The NCC Group from Pune was responsible for selection and training officers. The staff and cadets toiled day and night for over two months in preparations for the R Day parade till December 18, 2021, an official from Maharashtra NCC Directorate told the Transcontinental Times.
Significant achievements
In October 2021, the shooting team of the Maharashtra Directorate had won the coveted Inter Directorate Shooting Championship. The Pune Group had fielded nine out of the 10 firers of the team, winning nine Medals.
Brigadier R K Gaikwad, Commander NCC Group Pune complimented the contingent led by Lt Col Anirudh Sinh, assisted by Major Arusha Shete and Senior Officer Manoj Phirange and the cadets for their outstanding performance. The professional ethics and values of the Armed Forces are closely linked with the values of society from which it draws its people.
He appreciated the parents who permitted their wards to participate in the camp despite the COVID and outbreak of the OMICRON variant.
With this back-to-back victory, there is the right environment in Maharashtra for the students to feel motivated to strive to join the NCC and thereafter the Indian Armed Forces.
During the year the NCC achieved many a milestone. They included: The launch of NCC Training App Ver 20 to enhance online NCC training, the induction of simulators for .22 mm rifle firing, rowing training, and training of flying Microlight aircraft and “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Camps”.
Over 12 lakh cadets and their family members across the country participated online in the International Yoga Day. The cadets participated in an awareness campaign about 825 statues of National Heroes, in Puneet Sagar Abhiyan (cleaning beaches) and felicitation of 75 War Heroes of the 1971 Indo-Pak War at 75 locations. Besides, over 1.6 lakh cadets and 24000 staff members across the country joined as “COVID Warriors” to assist civil administration through Exercise “Yogdan”.
Also Read: India on 73rd Republic Day: Country’s Overall Economic Activity Remains Strong
