Shaping winners: NCC Academy to come up in Bangalore soon

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: The city will soon boast of a state-of-the-art training facility for the National Cadet Corps (NCC). To be located at Vidyanagar near Yelahanka, the work for the `40-crore 'NCC Academy' has already begun and it will be completed in the next three years. Once functional, the 39 Karnataka NCC Battalion will spearhead all its missions from the Academy.
In an interview to Express, Air Commodore C Rajeev, Deputy Director General, NCC Directorate (Karnataka & Goa), said that the state government allotted 8.2 acres and the completion of the Academy will be done in phases. “Karnataka is the best supported state in terms of infrastructure and funding for NCC. The Academy will propel all our future plans and it will consist of modern training facilities, including a firing range. We are also building a hostel for 600 boys and girls at the new facility,” Rajeev said.
With over 21,000 cadets enrolled to NCC in Bangalore, Rajeev said the Academy is sure to spread awareness among more schools and colleges. “Training is the key and we have also upgraded our patterns in tune with the changing times. In addition, we are now focussing on waste management, tree plantation and lake cleaning. The NCC Academy will further our cause of igniting more minds to join the armed forces,” Rajeev added.
Former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal (retd) Fali Homi Major said that the proposed NCC Academy will be a great value addition to Bangalore, often referred to as the Aerospace Capital of India. “I am really glad that an Academy of this stature is coming up in our city. In my reckoning, NCC training must be made compulsory at least for an year for every single student in this country. I am sure the new NCC Academy will give a great impetus for the future of the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, the Indian Navy,” says Major.
Major General (retd) K S Venugopal, former General Officer Commanding, Kerala and Karnataka Sub Area, Indian Army, said that NCC instructors will benefit the most from the Academy. “Most of the colleges and schools depute one teacher as the NCC officer, and the Academy is sure to raise the standards of their training pattern. The new facility can train the senior and junior divisions together, which will benefit the cadets immensely,” Venugopal said.
According to him, the Academy will attract more students towards NCC. “People should understand the value of NCC as it can make every student a disciplined human being. Being part of NCC is a great service to the nation and it can help youth empowerment. I hope every state has an NCC Academy,” Venugopal added.
The news of the new NCC Academy was welcomed with delight by Christ University, which has set up a unit right from its inception. “We are aware that the NCC Karnataka Directorate was planning to upscale their activities. We give top most priority to NCC in our college, though there are many dropouts. The students coming from rural areas are serious about their commitment towards NCC, while those from cities have a tendency to back out. I am sure that the new Academy will inspire more students and hope the authorities will give more propaganda about their missions,” said Fr Abraham Vettiyankal, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Christ University.
R-Day Camp: The NCC Karnataka Directorate will begin their preparations for participation in next year's Republic Day Parade from November 25. The camp will initially have 140 cadets out of which 108 will be selected for the grand Parade in Delhi.

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