The cadets of National Cadet Corps (NCC) hold a lot of promise, if the number of accomplishments is of any indication.
For instance, SUO L. Mubarak has won silver and a bronze medal in riding at the Republic Day Celebrations (RDC) held in Delhi this year. The Tirupati-based cadet is with the 2(A) Remount and Veterinary regiment. T. Sambhavi of the same regiment won two medals at the RDC last year. Similarly, D.G.V. Bhargavi of the 5(A) Girls Battalion attended a training programme at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai.
Here is Puttur-based cadet M. Gnana Prasad of 29(A) Battalion, who has visited Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun to get the nuances of how an officer is made. Cadets A. Likith Reddy, P. Karthik, P. Bindhu and S. Reddy Priya also have some impressive feathers on their cap.
While it is heartening to note that the cadets have made the group proud, it is equally worrying that the number of takers for NCC, especially male cadets, is on the wane. The Tirupati group enrols around 12,000 cadets from Chittoor and Kadapa districts.
“To some extent, it is true. The number of boys has come down, while the number of girls is stable,” says Colonel Rajeev Negi, commander of the Tirupati NCC group. Though the reason is unknown, the easy guess is the students’ growing preference to private institutions with focus on the academics.
Speaking to The Hindu after distributing cash awards to the eight best cadets at an annual function here on Monday, Col. Negi observed that many cadets from the rural areas aspired nothing more than becoming constables, while an NCC certificate offers them growth of geometric proportions. He plans to create awareness among the cadets on this front in the days to come.
To some extent, it is true. The number of boys has come down, while the number of girls is stable
Colonel Rajeev Negi
Commander, Tirupati NCC group
