Increasing the strength of NCC's
Udhagamandalam: Increasing the strength of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in various parts of the country was on the anvil, said the Deputy Director General, NCC, Tamil Nadu Directorate, Commodore U.N. Chitnavis here.Speaking to media persons, he said that the number of cadets was likely to go up to 15 lakh from the present 13 lakh. The number of cadets in the Tamil Nadu directorate which includes Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar would also go up proportionately.At present it was about 1.4 lakh. Many schools were showing interest in starting NCC units in their institutions. At present the largest number of cadets were in Andhra Pradesh. Tamil Nadu stands second.Since the Directorate was finding it difficult to get sites for conducting camps, there was a proposal to purchase lands in major cities for developing infrastructure. Pointing out that most of the cadets belonged to semi-urban and rural areas, he said that there was a proposal to conduct career guidance programmes periodically.A total change in the training schedule was on the cards. It would be more in consonance with the changes that were taking place rapidly at the global level. They would be exposed to more activities.To a question, Commodore Chitnavis lamented that at the national level the number of cadets joining the armed forces was less than one percent of the total strength. During the coming academic year the Directorate would lay more emphasis on parasailing and flying.Adverting to the All India NCC girls trekking expedition which was now in progress here, he said that the participants from various parts of India were enjoying it. The weather was ideal. In a phased manner 1,020 girls were taking part in the expedition. Many of them were seeing a hill station for the first time. The district authorities were extending excellent cooperation.
A 12th standard student of Dehradun Neelam Kataria said that thanks to the expedition she had trekked through hills and valleys over about 80 kilometres for the first time.Another participant Nisha Chetri of Utharanchal said that it was an unforgettable experience.Stating that among the places they had enjoyed visiting were the rose garden, a tea factory and the Tribal Museum, some of the girls said that they had got hooked to Idly and Sambar.
