Neglect of NCC deters youth in Uttar Pradesh to join it

GORAKHPUR - Growing negligence and State Government’s apathy is deterring the young high school and college students in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur from joining to the National Cadets Corp (NCC) alongside their academic studies.

The training undertaken as NCC cadets helps these students to join in the armed forces later.

NCC officers, usually deputed from the Army, Navy or Air Force say that unlike earlier times, the training period of NCC cadets has now been reduced to two years, which they believe will affect their overall performance.

Moreover, the cadets are also deprived of basic facilities like proper uniforms, shoes and allied kit.

At an NCC unit in Gorakhpur city, the cadets were seen undergoing training, with torn boots on.

Lieutenant D N Mathur, an NCC officer wished that the state government and the NCC Directorate which functions under the Defence Ministry take remedial steps at the earliest so that the confidence among the youngsters is not lost,” Mathur said.

“The senior NCC cadets have their uniforms of last year whereas the junior cadets do not have. So obviously this will affect their morale and confidence. And as for the shortage of army personnel, we need to do launch an awareness campaign,” he added.

Mathur also said the State Government and the Army a should pay more attention towards NCC so that they (cadets) can serve the country better.

“The need of the hour is we need to increase the vacancies in NCC so that more and more youth come forward and undergo training. This will help in ascertaining their participation in the armed forces,” said Captain O P Pandey.

The main objective of National Cadet Corps, which comprises of the tri-services the Army, Navy and Air Force, is to groom the youth of today into disciplined and patriotic citizens of tomorrow. By Pavan Sha (ANI)