Include NCC as elective

Shillong, November 13:  Directorate of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) North Eastern Region (NCC Dte NER) said that it will approach the Meghalaya government and other state governments of the NE region to explore the possibility of making the NCC as an “elective-subject” at the higher secondary level of education. This will also increase the enrolment of youth from across the region into the NCC.

Maj Gen RK Sharma, ADG, NCC, NER told reporters after the group commander’s conference of the NCC which concluded on Wednesday,  “State education department and universities will be approached and sensitized on the need to include NCC as an elective subject in state board schools, and autonomous universities of North Eastern states during the year 2014-15,”

Sharma said that the directorate wants to make the NCC as an optional subject in the secondary level even as he informed that NCC as elective subject has been launched successfully in close coordination with CBSE and autonomous universities

Briefing on deliberations held during the conference, Sharma said, “The current status of deficiencies in girl’s enrolment was viewed with concern and directions were issued to enhance the girls enrolment strength to 33%  of the approximate 87,000 vacancies which are authorized  to NCC Dte NER as their empowerment is a very important facet for their social upliftment in the society.”

Sharma informed that the present the enrolment of girls NCC cadet is only 26 per cent with total enrolment around 71, 000 in the NE region in the north eastern region.

As per direction of Director General NCC the enrolment strength is to be increased.

Sharma, however, said that a streamlined financial support is essential to ensure NCC functioning is not affected by delay in releasing of funds. For speedy release of fund the involvement of bureaucracy of the states is important, he felt.

Saying that the central government and private sector are providing adequate job opportunities to  the youth who have NCC A, B & C certificates but unfortunately the state governments are not providing any job opportunities to this well motivated and trained human resource, Sharma lamented. He said, “There is a need to approach the state governments to address this important aspect.”

Sharma also informed that directions have been issued to all the Group Commanders to encourage cadets to undertake social activities by adoption of villages, tree plantation, disaster relief etc as responsible citizens to make it integral part of their character building and contribute to the growth of India. He said the organization should also hold NCC Week Celebration in their respective area of responsibility on a large scale with the theme “ Environment &  Waste Management” using “Flash Mob” and road shows. He said, “The aim for increasing adult education so that we have healthy India.”

Sharma directed the commanders to take up the case with respective state governments on a fast track basis with land requirement of 6 to 8 acres and financial expenditure of approx Rs 8 to 10 crores on a roll on basis  for NCC training as has been done in other states.

There is a need to train cadets as valuable resource in coordination with the district administration to meet natural calamities and provide necessary assistance when called upon to do so.

Sharma said that preparations for the Republic day contingent were also discussed and the need to showcase the unique kaleidoscope of social and cultural activities of the seven emerald states of India which are unique and have their distinct identity in the Republic of India.

The conference was attended by Eight Group Commanders from the States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland and Imphal.- By Our Reporter