Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

NCC to expand operations in State

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: The National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Kerala is poised for expansion with new units in various parts of the State.

A new NCC Group Headquarters is proposed in Kannur along with one NCC battalion each in Kasaragod, Wayanad and Idukki and one air squadron in Kochi. These proposals have been taken up with the Government of Kerala and the Director General NCC, New Delhi.

Education Minister M.A. Baby, who addressed the annual NCC Battalion Commanders' conference here on Thursday, said he had discussed these matters with Defence Minister A.K. Antony on his recent visit to Delhi.

Central support

He said Mr. Antony assured full support for strengthening the NCC activities in the State. All the five group commanders and 39 battalion commanders and staff officers belonging to the Army, Navy and the Air Force attended the day-long conference.

Inaugurating the conference, Brigadier O.A. James, DDG, NCC Directorate, said that the NCC would strive to achieve better performance in each and every area.

He listed out the major activities carried out by the NCC during the year 2006- 07 including camps, adventure treks, air training and social service programmes.

Training camps

With enrolled cadre strength of 74,500 in the State, NCC Directorate conducted 63 annual training camps, pre-Thal Sainik camps, pre-Vayu Sainik camps and pre-Nau Sainik camps.

As many as 160 cadets attended these camps held in Delhi, Bangalore and Vizag. He said 108 cadets participated in the Republic Day camp and the Prime Minister's Rally in Delhi.

The directorate also conducted an all-India trek at Peppara attended by 1,000 cadets.

The all-India rock climbing camp at Neyyar Dam and three national integration camps including one at Lakshadweep also witnessed good participation.

The adventure activities undertaken by the NCC included five sailing expeditions, two cycling tours, scuba diving, wind surfing and kayaking.

More than 2,000 cadets donated blood and 420 cadets participated in an anti-cancer awareness programme. Around 6,000 cadets also took part in a State-wide AIDS awareness programme last year.

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