COVER STORY

National Cadet Corps (NCC), the largest uniformed youth organisation in the world, is celebrating its 73^rd anniversary of its raising on November 28, 2021. Marking this solemn occasion, Director General NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh laid wreath and paid homage to the fallen heroes on behalf of the entire NCC fraternity at the National War Memorial, in New Delhi on November 27, 2021.

The NCC raising day is also being celebrated all over the country with cadets participating in marches, blood donation camps and social development programmes. In the year gone by, NCC has successfully overcome the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 Pandemic and effectively executed the assigned mission. Contribution of cadets through various initiatives in Exercise-Yogdan in the management of the pandemic have been widely appreciated by the people across the country.

The cadets and Associate NCC Officers, led by example in activities such as ‘Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat’, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Fit India’. The cadets participated wholeheartedly in ‘Swachhta Abhiyan’, ‘Mega Pollution Pakhwada’ and played a pivotal role in spreading awareness about various government initiatives like ‘Digital Literacy’, ‘International Day of Yoga’, ‘Tree Plantation’ and present COVID vaccination drive, etc.

A scheme for expansion of National Cadet Corps coverage, in Border and Coastal regions of the country was announced by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020. A total increase of one lakh additional cadet strength in all three streams of Army, Navy and Air Force focusing on the border districts, coastal talukas and talukas housing Air Force Stations has been completed. Expansion of NCC in these border and coastal districts will certainly motivate the youth from these areas to join the armed forces. The nation looks forward to NCC, to inculcate the values of fraternity, discipline, national unity and selfless service amongst our youth.

The launch of NCC Alumni Association by Prime Minister in a grand ceremony held at Jhansi on November 19, 2021 has added another feather in the cap of NCC. Shri Narendra Modi was made the first member of this prestigious Alumni Association. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh was made the second member of this association.

This association will bring all ex-cadets and uniformed persons who have served in NCC, on one platform for furtherance of aims and objectives of the organisation and effectively participate in society and community development for the common good.

The multifaceted activities and varied curriculum of the NCC, provides unique opportunities to the youth for self-development. Many cadets have done the nation and the organisation proud by their remarkable achievements in the field of sports and adventure.  The NCC continues its relentless efforts, towards moulding the present-day youth into responsible citizens of tomorrow.

National Defence College(NDC)awarded NDC Parchments to 106 officers, including 34 from friendly foreign countries, after they successfully completed 61stNDC course, in New Delhi on November 26, 2021. The valedictory function was presided over by NDC CommandantAir Marshal D Choudhury.

The one-year course enables the officers to qualify for an M Phil degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras. The Commandant in his valedictory address congratulated all the members of the 61stNDC course for successfully completing the curriculum centred on Nation Security and Strategy. He highlighted that the various modules of the course establish a foundation for bright and experienced officers in preparing them for higher strategic leadership and policy level responsibilities. The degrees will be awarded later in a convocation ceremony.

The knowledge and experience gained here will enable them to engage issues of national security holistically and formulate policies based on research and informed inputs.Air Marshal D Choudhuryalso added that the graduates must adopt multi-disciplinary and out of the box approaches on matter of National issues at the strategic level, both in policy formulation and its execution.

He encouraged all the members to continue their connect with their Alma Mater, and equally importantly amongst each other. This would allow the bond of friendship developed at the NDC to become a catalyst in cooperation both at national and international levels. After all human friendships are not only enduring, but they are also the bedrock of relation between nations. He wished all the Course members the very best as they resume their journeys of career and life. Situated in New Delhi, the NDC is India’s apex institution of learning for the study and practice of National Security and Strategy. Established in 1960, it has over the years earned a reputation for excellence and gained world renown. It is dedicated to the intellectual development and strategic enculturation of selected senior officers of the armed forces and civilian government services of India and those from foreign countries, for higher leadership positions and responsibilities.