My First NCC Camp
The National Cadet corps (NCC) is a voluntary organization engaged in grooming the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens. They recruit members (cadets) from schools and colleges across the country and are given basic military training in small arms and parades.
I would like to share the beautiful experience of my NCC camp. Over 600 cadets from all over the country- Northern states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the Southern tip of Tamil Nadu and from the far corners of North Eastern States to Gujarat in the west- participated in the 12-day National Integration Camp organized by the NCC Directorate of AP and Telangana. Our camp was designed with the theme “Unity in Diversity” with a dose of rich cross country culture experience.
The journey started on 8th Jan, 2016 and we, the cadets from Secunderabad group boarded the Krishna Express and headed towards Bapatla. I was quite nervous and curious about how the camp would go. We reached Bapatla Railway Station and were taken to the camp which was at Bapatla Arts and Science College campus. In the coastal town of Bapatla, it was very cool in the morning and the sunrises were very beautiful.
Our day started with roll call in the morning followed by P.T. Then lectures were given by military officers on Character building, Personality Development, Career counseling, Leadership qualities. Many competitions such as singing, dancing, Group discussion, Debate, Lecturette and Essay writing between cadets of different NCC directorates of the country were conducted. I participated in many, one being the lecturette competition. The topic I chose was “Time Management”. In front of me were 600 cadets, the Group Commandeer, the Commanding Officer, A.N.Os and other staff. And yes! I gave the lecture confidently without any fear. A big round of applause in that huge hall still echoes in my ear. I was proud of myself. I won 1st prize in the competition.
We were taken for sight-seeing to Amaravati (the new capital of AP) and Mangalagiri and it was the festive season of Sankranthi — the harvest festival of Telugu people. I enjoyed explaining our culture and rituals to cadets of other states. Since we were in NCC uniform, as we walked through the streets, the local people looked at us curiously and tiny kids came running to say “hi!” and shook hands and greeted us. It felt like… we were kind of celebrities.
I was one of the chosen cadets to visit the Suryalanka Air Base to watch missile firing. We were sitting at about 80 meters away from the missile. And then the countdown started 10..9.…1. Everyone fixed their gaze on the missile launching vehicle. With a Big bang, fire and cloud of dust behind, the missile shoot up into the clear blue sky with immense speed leaving us in awe. It hit its target midair in just 6 seconds. It was a overwhelming moment and I captured it in my mind. On the last day of the camp “Bada Khana” (variety of dishes) was arranged. After summing up the event, few cadets sung “Chalthe chalthe meri ye geet yaad rakhna, kabhi alvida naa kehnaa…”I was happy that the camp went successfully at the same time sad because we lived together like a family all those days and we would part soon. We took many selfies and the night before we left, there was a display of fireworks. And everyone there, regardless of culture, religion or region they have come from were holding hands together and screaming with joy at the site of beautiful light patterns in the dark sky. It was the moment to say Good Bye! I loved the camp life and I will miss it and the people.
This camp taught me discipline, to accept people the way they are, infused courage and strength, motivated me to do something to motherland and respect her and ultimately it made me a better person. I saw a Mini India or “Chota Bharat” in short span. I saw different side of our military officials and learnt that Yes! They crack jokes, sing songs, dance, giggle like others (they are serious and commanding usually during our weekly parades). As I return I take a very big suitcase of memories, lessons, new friends and the challenge to develop myself.