New Delhi, Jan 3 (Agency) NCC Director General Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh on Friday said that the NCC Republic Day Camp, which commenced on December 30 last month, is witnessing the participation of largest number of girl cadets from across the country. Addressing a press conference here, the NCC DG said, “A total of 2,361 cadets including 917 girl cadets are taking part in the month-long camp. The aim of the camp is to provide exposure to the rich culture and traditions of the country and also enhance personal traits of cadets and strengthen their value system”. He said among the 2,361 cadets who are participating in this year’s RD Camp, 114 cadets are from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and 178 from the Northeast region.
Moreover, 135 cadets and officers from 18 friendly foreign countries under the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) will also participate, the NCC DG added. Gurbirpal Singh said the camp will be formally inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on January 5 and it will culminate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally on January 27. He further said that the camp will be visited by large number of dignitaries including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Delhi Chief Minister, Defence Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff and the Chiefs of the three services. The Director General highlighted that the strength of NCC cadets has increased from 17 lakh to 20 lakh and added that 40 percent of these were girl cadets. While highlighting the major achievements of NCC, Lt Gen Singh said that besides regular 1,612 annual training camps, six special national integration camps and 33 Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat camps were conducted. Talking about the adventure activities of the organization, he said that special mountaineering expedition to Mount Kang Yatse and Mount Abi Gamin were successfully conducted.