Enrol 20,000 students to NCC in next four years: VC

Mysuru: The 70th National Cadet Corps (NCC) Day was celebrated in city this morning with cadets dressed in Khaki (Army), White (Navy) and Blue (Air Force) uniforms presenting colourful cultural programmes at Kalamandira.

NCC Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of November every year and completed 70 years on Nov.25, 2018.

Speaking on the occasion, University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, who was the chief guest, said that NCC was gaining a lot of importance in recent days and added that it is not only useful for those planning to join the armed forces but to have a disciplined life.

Stating that there were more than 1.20 lakh students studying in colleges affiliated to University of Mysore and other colleges coming under the Varsity, the VC regretted that only 10,000 students had enrolled to NCC. He said efforts should be made to enrol 15,000 to 20,000 students to NCC in the next four years.

On the occasion, cadets who attended Republic Day Parade at New Delhi and National Camps were presented cash prizes while Civil Section staff were given certificates and higher NCC Officers like Major, Colonel, Subedar and others were presented medals.

Group Commander of Mysuru NCC Group Col. M.K. Belliappa, former NCC officer K.A. Kariappa and others were present.

NCC cadets speak

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Cadet P.V. Akshay (IMA Army Attachment Camp, Dehradun, said “NCC is a life-changing organisation where it develops the leadership quality and strength in building the nation. It not only gives a Best Officer to Army but also gives a best citizen to the nation.”

Maj. B. Ragav, ANO, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College, Madikeri, said “NCC is an opportunity for the youth to trim themselves and become a best citizen or Officer. Join NCC and build yourself.”

About NCC

NCC is the largest organisation in the world with a prescribed NCC uniform and is a voluntary organisation comprising three defence forces namely Army, Navy and Air Force in training the youths with the main objectives of developing discipline, character, brotherhood, selfless service amongst young citizens besides developing leadership quality and motivating youngsters to join the defence forces.

NCC is headed by a Director General with rank of Additional Director General or Maj. General and the Head Quarters is situated in Delhi. There are 17 Directorates in State capitals headed by the rank of Maj. General and there are 788 Battalions all over India.

NCC cadets are given basic military training in small arms and parade and they get an opportunity to take part in different NCC Camps like Republic Day Camp in Delhi, Youth Exchange Programme abroad, Indian Military Academy Army Training Camp at Dehradun, Uttarakhand and National Integration Camps among many other camps.

Those taking part in NCC for two years while in school or college earn ‘B’ or ‘C’ Certificates. They get reservations in State and Central government jobs. If they have ‘C’ certificate they will get a direct entry to defence force as gazetted officers in Senior Division.

Between 1914 and 1918, during the World War I the British started the University Core, under the law of Indian Defence Force Act 1917 to give support to the Army. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose took his training in Kolkata as a cadet and became the first National leader to get NCC training. In 1920 the University Core was changed to University Training Core.

During World War II in 1939, the defence forces were in need of huge support from youngsters so they began a University of Officers Training similar to England Officers Core of the UK. The organisation was started in Mysuru, Hyderabad, Delhi and in 19 other places across the country.

In 1949, the girls got an opportunity to join the NCC.