Bengaluru :
He had to struggle a bit to find his way into Bengaluru’s National Cadet Corps (NCC) group, but it was worth a try. From winning the Prime Minister’s coveted baton to represent India at the youth exchange programme in Kazakhstan, Cadet Adithya SP proved wrong the assumption that NCC is “just about march-past”.
For Adithya from Shivamogga, taking part in the Republic Day Camp (RDC) held in Delhi has been a long cherished dream and emerging as the All India Best Cadet was icing on the cake.
Currently pursuing Bachelor of Science at Christ University, Adithya said: “There were some issues because of which I couldn’t join the NCC group at Christ University. But that didn’t stop them from supporting me while I was getting training at the Jalahalli camp.”
After joining the No. 2 Karnataka Air Squadron camp in 2014, he pursued his passion to be in the Indian Armed Forces. The selection camp for the RDC was in 2015 September.
With this year’s contingent all set to travel to Delhi for the camp, Adithya recalled that the last year’s camp—being the commander for the All India Air Force contingent at the guard of honour (parade) and mastering skills in dancing and extempore— was not a cakewalk. Competing with equally tough cadets from six other groups in the Karnataka-Goa NCC directorate and winning the gold medal at his very first step was a thrilling experience, he said.
Last title was in 2006
The title got the Air Wing contingent a gold medal and Adithya was awarded a trophy by the Air Chief Marshal.Cadets from Karnataka had won the title previously in 1997 and in 2006.
“My mother was very proud of me though she couldn’t come to Delhi. It was the collective effort of all training officers. My seniors and officers who train us inspired me to join the defence. Not everyone can be forced into joining the armed forces. If everything goes well, I will soon be training with the Air Force,” said Adithya who is also a cycling enthusiast.
Lesson from Kazakhstan
In May, this year, Adithya and 11 others represented India at the Youth Exchange Programme in Kazakhstan. “Every boy there has to serve in their Army for at least a year. They are all nurtured in that way. Most people of my age think that NCC is all about march-past and drills. But actually it is preparing us for a respectable future,” Adithya said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News / by Deepika Burl / TNN / December 16th, 2016