The National Cadet Corps (NCC), a premier uniformed youth organization, is gradually getting popular among the youth in Jammu and Kashmir like as in other parts of the country. There are over 24000 cadets, of which nearly 8000 are girl cadets. It is significant that the number of cadets in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions have increased, NCC activities have evoked positive response from young boys as well as girls.
The NCC Day is observed on November 24, 2013. On this day several functions are held in which the young boys and girls participate with enthusiasm and gaiety.
The NCC, operating in different educational institutions including schools and colleges imparts regularly elementary trainings in tri-Services comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force and for grooming them into disciplined and patriotic citizens. Its main objective is to develop character, comradeship, discipline, leadership, national outlook, spirit of adventure, and ideals of selfless service.
The purpose is to create a human resource of organized, trained and motivated boys and girls to provide leadership in all walks of life and also to prepare them for careers in the Armed Forces.
In an exclusive interview, Maj. Gen. Neeraj Verma, Additional Director General, NCC, Jammu and Kashmir, stated: “Sustained efforts are being made to revamp and revitalize NCC as an organization in the State. Gradually activities are being accelerated”. The J&K NCC chief is regularly conducting the camps to make NCC visible even in remote areas of this border and sensitive State.
Gen. Verma, who has taken over only in July this year stated that our objective is directed towards instilling qualities of nationalism, patriotism, discipline, team spirit, spirit-de-corps, leadership and self confidence and promoting overall personality and added that NCC gives tremendous opportunity to one and all for betterment, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or economic status.
Noble Objectives
In Jammu and Kashmir, NCC was introduced first in Srinagar, during 1954 and later, one NCC battalion was raised at Jammu in September 1959 with sanctioned cadet strength of 6560 in the State. The girl wing of NCC was introduced in the year 1962 when two J&K (Girls) Battalion were raised at Jammu. Subsequently there was diversification and intensification of NCC activities at various locations in the State. Significantly during the current year, NCC activities have been expanded in Ladakh area especially and also other parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In view of the ever increasing aspirations of student community, the State NCC Directorate has taken up with the State Government as also with the NCC headquarters for raising new units and further up-gradation of existing infrastructure.
During Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965 and 1971, NCC cadets were second line of defence as they organized camps at various fronts. The NCC cadets also worked hand-in-hand on Civil Defence duty.
The need to create a youth organization at national level to train the young boys and girls to be better citizen and future leaders of our country in all walks of life including defence forces led to the creation of NCC after passage of the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948. The NCC movement was launched on July 15, 1948 and is presently headed by Directorate General headquartered at New Delhi.
The NCC is today the largest uniformed youth organization in the world and has carved out a niche for itself as a unique organization in nation building and grooming the youth of our country. The motto of NCC is ‘Unity and Discipline’ and is shaping our youth into disciplined citizens. The NCC has its own flag, crest and also a melodious and patriotic song ‘Hum Sab Bhartiya Hain’.
NCC undoubtedly is making progress but it needs to be given a massive thrust to canalize the energy and enthusiasm of our young boys and girls for purposeful and productive national activities. The youth must be more actively involved in NCC to enable them to meet the challenges on various fronts. It is heartening that the young boys and girls in Jammu and Kashmir are also eager to be in the fold of NCC for greater good of this nation.
Recently two national level camps have been conducted with high participation and positive results obtained in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Government must consider rapid advancement of NCC activities in the sensitive and border Jammu and Kashmir State so that the young boys and girls are properly inspired and motivated for maintaining permanent peace and accelerating pace of socio-economic development.