N.C.C- SCOPE AND FUTURE

The National Cadet Corps has given India some of its top sportspersons (Anjali Bharajwaj, Major Rathore), politicians, civil servants and officers. A youth organization dedicated to train India’s young minds to serve the Nation with patriotic zeal, determination and pride; N.C.C cadets are encouraged to be able leaders and disciplined citizens.

Every year, N.C.C conducts various national and international level camps and programs for which directorates (India is divided into 17 such zones) train cadets, hiring top military instructors and choreographers (Culturals are an important part of N.C.C). After several eliminations, top cadets compete at a national-level at camps such as the Thal, Vayu and Nau Sainik camps, Chilika Sailing camp, Mavalankar Shooting camp and the prestigious Republic Day Camp. Every year, N.C.C sends more than 60 cadets as delegates to represent India in countries such as Russia, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Bhutan. Air cadets are trained to fly planes and N.C.C’s top flyers (1 girl and 1 boy cadet) are chosen to perform air stunts during the Prime Minister’s Rally in January.

N.C.C’s aim to promote National Integration is made a reality through the National Integration Camps held at various parts of the country, where cadets from each directorate showcase their culture. N.C.C’s role in bringing together young people from all over the country is crucial because this intermingling creates a generation of people who experience unity in diversity.

Why does N.C.C exist? This corps gives a taste of life in the defense forces to school and college students. There are many sets reserved for N.C.C cadets in defense academies, civil services and colleges in some states. N.C.C acts as the best way to encourage young people to serve in the military and Para military forces.

I recently read an article about how Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar directorate being unable to provide uniforms and military gear to its cadets. This has been happening in many directorates in the recent past. T.N,P,A&N directorate won the best directorate prize this year at the Republic Day Camp 2011. The money spent on winning is huge and the prize money, huger. Why is India’s best directorate unable to provide the basics? What is going on in other states?

N.C.C offices often function like government offices, with military professionalism lacking utterly. The excellent past record is being eroded by complaints of bad food, poor lodging and neglect. Corruption is a major problem, with military personnel appointed for 2 years and transferred. A system of checks and balances is crucial.

Only recently, a CO from Delhi Directorate was charged formally with corruption and fraudulent practices. This could be the first time such a step has been initiated.

The government allocates a massive share for cadet welfare, training facilities and scholarship. Neglect at the hands of the media and the public is reducing N.C.C to a mere show in smaller directorates. At this point, public interest is crucial to ensure that N.C.C’s reach is maximum and most effective.