72nd Raising day of NCC celebrated with parades and blood donation camps

Every Year NCC day is celebrated on the last Sunday of the Nov Month, which falls on 22 Nov this year. As part of the celebrations, all the NCC units conducted parades, Flag hoisting and blood donation camps while adhering to all the Covid precautions.

On the NCC day, Major General Roy Joseph, Additional Director General Gujarat, Dadra, Nagar & Haveli, Daman and Diu wished all Cadets and Staff of Gujarat Directorate a very happy NCC Day 2020. He brought out that the year 2020 has been full of different types of challenges. All the Cadets and personnel of this Directorate, while following the aims of the NCC have handled these challenges efficiently and effectively. In recounting the milestone events of the past year, the year 2020 started with an excellent performance of the Cadets of Guj Dte in Republic Day Camp.

The real challenge started during the lock down period, wherein the cadets of this Dte were the first one to be deployed in the support of Civil administration. As part of Exercise Yogdan, the cadets were deployed for nonstop 43 days from 08 Apr 20 to 19 May 20. During this period, on an average 500-550 Cadets, 60 Associate NCC Officers and 80 Permanent Instructors were deployed at 31 towns covering 18 Districts on daily basis in scorching heat conditions.
All together about 1350 personnel were deployed.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, there were reports of the scarcity of blood in various blood banks in Gujarat. NCC Directorate Gujarat with its motivated youth force of volunteer cadets along with posted staff (both defence personnel and civilian) conducted blood donation campaign throughout the month of July across various cities in the state in coordination with the Indian Red Cross Society. The efforts of the Directorate during the Ex Yogdan were highly appreciated by Defence Minister, Governor of Gujarat, Chief Minister and Education Minister of Gujarat

Going from strength to strength during this year, the Dte has been able to progress the cases of NCC Academy coming up at Rajkot and Navli. Modernisation of training has been implemented by 02 Air and 06 Naval Simulators that have been commissioned for Flying and Naval training at various locations. In addition latest Sports Shooting Rifles have been procured. These modern training aids and equipment would act immensely as enablers for training.

The onset of Covid-19 pandemic placed a unique situation and associated challenges in terms of conducting training, but NCC Cadets and staff met with it head on and have given an excellent account of themselves by adapting fast and well to ‘The New Normal’ of ‘Going Online’ for training. Starting with EBSBs, webinars and online classes and process of enrolments have all been conducted Online. In addition Cadets also participated in tree plantations in their areas, motivated others for physical fitness and actively participated in international yoga day along with their families. The active involvement of the Cadets on the “Yog Karishu, Corona Ne Haravishu” campaign launched by the Chief Minister of Gujarat was highly appreciated by all.

As part of the expansion plan of NCC along Border and Coastal areas, which was announced by PM Shri Narendra Modi on 15 Aug 20, Guj Dte has made a significant progress by selecting 20 institutions along the border areas for providing NCC training to 3600 Cadets. The enrolment in these institutions has also started. Coastal area expansion is also under progress.

On the NCC day, Maj Gen Roy Joseph ADG Gujarat, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu complimented all the officers, personnel, Cadets, ANOs and Civilians for the excellent efforts and their involvement during the various activities. He also conveyed his appreciation to the parents and various institutions for their involvement in supporting Cadets for the NCC activities. The ADG also conveyed his gratitude to the state education Dept for their continued support and assistance.

He advised all cadets to take care of their health and educate people on how to go through this challenging time unharmed, educate them about their civic duties and be effective messengers for awareness. The ADG also said that he is hopeful for an even better performance and achieving more milestones in the coming year and lockdown Covid-19 restrictions would not affect the training of NCC Cadets.