A journey

MOMENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND MEMORIES- THE NCC JOURNEY

“Chinta mat kijiye, apne bachon ki tarah rakhenge” (Don't worry, we will treat them as our own). This was the reassurance given to my mother, many years ago, when I was about to leave for my first ever NCC camp. That is what NCC has been to so many cadets like me-family.

NCC organizes around 500 camps every year. The toughest and perhaps the most rewarding is the Republic Day Camp (RDC). For this national level camp, every directorate selects and trains a team (cream?) of cadets who represent their directorate and compete with other teams for the RDC banner handed to the best directorate by the Prime Minister. This camp is where cadets are selected for the Youth Exchange Program (YEP) The training is grueling and the selection process extremely tough.

I had heard a lot about this camp from my senior, SUO Aparajita who had been a part of the NCC Rajpat Contingent, 2009. She told my about how the Rajpat cadets (selected at the camp) had to wake up at 0230 hrs for marching practice on Rajpat. She got 2 hours of sleep a day and marched roughly 14km a day, all day. Her most rewarding moments were when all the military contingents would assemble at India Gate in the end and cheer them on! This and the crowd’s encouragement would make her forget all the weariness and march with all the style and smartness demanded. She had represented India at YEP Sri Lanka and her experience inspired me greatly.  They had a 15-day pre-camp (‘Chiller camp’) where the 10 chosen cadets were prepared for their trip. “At the Sri Lankan camp, we trained with them. We visited places. On the last day, we received our YEP medals. Marching up to the VIP to receive my medal, I realized what a long way I had come.”

Cut to 14/8/2010-Promising Day Parade. After 10 days of training hard, the LSR contingent of 40 girls, me among them was going to take the oath. That day, my dream of being an RD holder solidified. SUO Aparajita Bhasin, President, NCC came dressed in her YEP combat uniform and Drill Master Shoes (boots, rather). Only a military uniform could make someone look so awe inspiring.I knew I wanted a uniform like that. I wanted carry myself with that confidence and wear the 7 corner RDC badge.

It was a tough journey. After failing the drill test thrice, I finally made it to both the drill and cultural teams. We had drill practice early morning and cultural practice all day long. Just four hours of sleep. Our new “best friends” were the 4.4kg Self Loading Rifles (minus the firing pins), which we lugged around, sometimes in one hand sometimes above our heads. Miraculous weight loss and Super Stamina in just 10 days!

After a month long training (in my seniors’ cases, more than 50 days), the final RDC contingent, Delhi boarded the buses and left for RDC-2011, Delhi Cant. We were so busy! Almost every day, we would dress in our uniform, newly stitched (made to order, the ones issued would make most of us looked like naxals) with ceremonials and attended tea parties with VVIPS including the CM, military chiefs and the defense minister. We were often interviewed. In our spare time, we’d sneak off to the cafeteria (they expected us to live on the Mess food!!), out of bounds for Delhi cadets(strict CO).On Jan 11^th, we visited Agra together, wearing our red blazers with the gilded logo- Republic Day Contingent, Delhi.

I was nominated for the YEP selections by my directorate. I had a written test, in which I managed a second highest, a drill test which I managed and an interview with the Directorate General, NCC. The last one lasted 45 seconds and as I described India for him, I realized how badly I wanted to get selected. I await my results.

On 26/01/2011, we all watched the parade in the auditorium. Cheering for every contingent and clapping furiously, I realized that this was The Way to watch the telecast- with one’s friends.

The cultural events went on without any trouble. My mother sent my guitar(we usually use NCC instruments) and in spite of technical problems, gave great performances. Looking at a photo of the choir, with me at the centre (and my guitar), I start humming the familiar tune.

Back in college, in my new drill master boots, blazer and wearing my RDC watch(presented to each cadet by the contingent commander) I could feel the change in me. NCC had given us an aura of achievement and our training had brought out the best in us. Slouching became a thing of the past and I knew that my confident stride matched up to those of the very seniors who had inspired me. The RD holders went to NCC fests for the Best Cadet competitions, often winning and trained and commanded the next year’s contingent of new members. 

“That’s the reward kid. You get to stand where your seniors stood and inspire more people and lead them on to success.”