The 10-day Annual Training Camp (ATC)-223 of the NCC Air Wing commenced on Monday at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. Organised by the 1st Himachal Pradesh Air Squadron NCC, Kullu, the camp has brought together 550 NCC cadets from various educational institutions across the state.
Camp Objectives and Training Focus
Wing Commander Kunal Sharma, addressing the media, stated that the primary objective of the camp is to nurture discipline, leadership, self-reliance, teamwork, national integration and patriotism among the youth. He emphasised that the camp provides cadets with practical exposure to the military way of life, the functioning of the Indian Air Force, and the core values and ethos of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
Throughout the camp, cadets will undergo comprehensive training in drill, aeromodelling, weapon handling, firefighting, disaster management, map reading, personality development and a wide range of specialised and general subjects through expert lectures and practical sessions. Group activities, cultural programmes and adventure training will also form an integral part of the camp curriculum.
Participating Institutions
Wing Commander Sharma said that 550 NCC cadets from the Senior Division, Senior Wing, Junior Division and Junior Wing of 20 educational institutions are participating in the camp. The senior divisions and wings include cadets from Government College, Kullu; Vallabh Government College, Mandi; the National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur; and the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi.
Cadets in the junior divisions and wings are from Government Senior Secondary School for Boys, Kullu; Government Senior Secondary Schools at Jari, Panarsa, Sainj, Pandoh and Sultanpur; Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Bandrol; LMS Kelheli; Delhi Public School, Manali; Kendriya Vidyalaya, NHPC Sainj; DAV Public School, Manali; CIS Kullu; DAV CPS, Mandi; DAV LKB, Shimla; Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ramshila; and DAV Public School, Mohal.
Impact and Significance
The camp is expected to significantly enhance the skills and character of the participating cadets, preparing them for future roles in the armed forces and other leadership positions. By bringing together cadets from diverse backgrounds, the camp also fosters national integration and teamwork, aligning with the broader goals of the NCC.
