For first time, selection process introduced for foreign cadets

Photo for representational purpose only. iStock

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 2

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) will be inviting youth delegations from 15 new countries for the Republic Day Camp—2022 celebrations, in addition to such contingents from 10 friendly countries that have regularly been attending the camp in the past.

The new countries are USA, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria and Seychelles.

As part of its youth exchange programme, members of similar organisations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Kyrgyz Republic, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Vietnam have been attending the Republic Day Camp in India while selected NCC cadets make reciprocal visits to these countries.

About 300 cadets or members of organisations similar to the NCC from these 25 countries would be in India from January 15 to 29 next year, which coincides with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ for commemorating 75 years of Independence.

Ten cadets along with their supervisors from each country will attend important events of the Republic Day celebrations. Visits to various places of historical and cultural importance have also been planned, as part of the program and they would also be exposed to yoga and ayurveda.

For the first time, the cadets or youth participating in the Republic Day Camp from foreign countries will compete to get selected based on a process to be organised by the NCC in those countries in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Defence Attaches in Indian Embassies overseas as well as the youth organisation of the respective country. Partner youth organisations have also been identified. The selection competition will adjudge candidates on their knowledge about India, its achievements in last 75 years, culture and people.   

The Republic Day Camp is the most prestigious annual event of the NCC and provides several life-time experiences for the cadets, including the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath and the Prime Minister’s NCC Rally. They also interact with top dignitaries, including the President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister and the Service Chiefs.

Last year, 2,155 cadets, including 710 girls from all 17 NCC directorate in the country had attended the Republic Day Camp. This year however, the number had come down to about a thousand cadets due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

To ensure safety of the youth participating in the program, all protocols and safety aspects of Covid-19 will be followed at the forthcoming camp. The participating countries have also been requested that all the cadets visiting India should be fully vaccinated and have health insurance.