NCC Aims to Broaden Its Footprint in Sikkim
Click to start listening
Kolkata, Nov 28 (NationPress) The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is gearing up to broaden its footprint in the vital border state of Sikkim, according to an official statement after a visit by NCC D-G Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh to Gangtok.
The forthcoming initiatives include the establishment of an NCC headquarters and a training facility for cadets in the Himalayan region. Currently, cadets hailing from the state are integrated into the West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate, which boasts a strength exceeding one lakh.
During his visit, the DG, NCC engaged with cadets from the 1 Sikkim Girls Battalion and 3 Sikkim Battalion. He conversed with the cadets at the Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College, emphasizing the opportunities presented by the NCC through training. This training not only aids youth in developing into disciplined citizens but also opens up career pathways, including in the armed forces.
Cadets who achieve the prestigious 'C' Certificate with commendable scores are exempt from the written entrance examination for the Combined Defence Services (CDS). The NCC also equips cadets with the necessary training to assist them in successfully navigating the written tests and the Services Selection Board interview, which are crucial for selection into the National Defence Academy, as stated by the official.
During the visit on Wednesday, Lt Gen Singh presented various awards.
Senior Under Officer (SUO) Nishtha was awarded the DG NCC Commendation Card, while Junior Under Officer (JUO) Christina Rai received the DG NCC medallion.
Lt Dikit Lhamu Lepcha was bestowed with the DG NCC Plaque, and Leezum Lepcha received a DG NCC Commendation Card.
The DG, accompanied by Maj Gen Vivek Tyagi, ADG, NCC, West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate, and Brig Mukesh Gurung, met with Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur. They discussed various plans during the visit. Additionally, Lt Gen Singh, Maj Gen Tyagi, and Brig Gurung consulted state education minister Raju Basnet regarding the establishment of a Group Headquarters and training facility for the NCC.
The official highlighted that the Ministry of Defence has approved a strategy to amplify the NCC's strength from the current 17 lakh cadets to 20 lakh cadets within the next decade, transforming the Force into the world's largest uniformed youth organization.
With the NCC being introduced as an elective subject in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020, numerous educational institutions are opting to incorporate it within their campuses. Furthermore, the budget allocation for the NCC in the 2024-25 budget has reached an unprecedented high of Rs 2,740 crore.
The official remarked, "The NCC cadets have consistently rendered exemplary service when called upon. During the Covid pandemic, close to 50,000 NCC cadets provided outstanding service. They are always ready to assist civil administration, whether it involves traffic management during festivals or large events or responding to natural calamities."
