Indore: NCC arms itself to lure youth

Aiming to move closer to the public, the Indian Army enthralled the public by holding first such event and gave them a chance to see the exclusive arms and communication devices of the Army from close quarters at Holkar Science College on Sunday. ‘Civilians’ as they call them- including little kids were absolutely thrilled as majority of these weapons and devices remain inaccessible to the common man. Special open preview was part of the colourful event which was organised for marking the 65th Raising Day of NCC.Arms and communication devices including Launcher 9p, Gun Machine 7.62mm, AGL, 84mm RLMK II, INSA rifle, Mortar, Dragnov Sniper rifle, 9mm pistol and communication devices like Radio set star V and Battle Field Surveillance Radar were on display during the fair. Visitors not only saw these weapons and devices but also clicked snaps while posing with them. The curiosity was running high as visitors were seen inquiring about functioning of weapons from servicemen. The event offered a perfect mixture of information, fun, thrill and adventure with variety of exhibits and the Sunday crowd was absolutely thrilled, especially the children.The ceremony got underway with the felicitation of cadets by Maj Gen AK Ghosh. Soon the focus shifted to the centre of the event site where the NCC cadets enthralled one and all by their horsemanship. Crowd cheered in loud pitch as these cadets made their trained horses jump adeptly.    The cheer only doubled up as when the three females from the groups- Rohini Sarate, Rubina Khan and Garima Saradhna took to the ground on their horses and cleared various jumping hurdles with ease.The organisers had a tough time making kids not to clap while the horses jumped to clear hurdles as the clapping makes them jittery.The horse riding was followed by band performance by Indian Army’s famous Gorkha regiment. Soon the entire crowd rushed to the centre of the ground once again as aero-modelling got underway. The visitors including youths and kids shouted in loudest possible pitch as the experts started the Line Controlled acrobatics of dummy planes. Kids had a Sunday blast with fun activities like bungee jumping, trampoline, horse ride, camel ride and cultural presentations by  cadets.   Maj Gen VK Ghosh said that the event aimed at attracting youths towards NCC. “We are witnessing a youth bulge in our country so it’s imperative to engage them in constructive activities like NCC or the repercussions might be disastrous,” he said. What is NCC Raising Day?During Independence movement, leaders had realised need to create a national level youth organisation. Consequently, a committee under Shri HN Kunzru was set up in 1946 under the directives PM Pt Jawaharlal Nehru. He presided over the function of raising first NCC Unit at Delhi in  Nov 1948. This day is traditionally celebrated as the ‘NCC Day’