Training future leaders

Many schools and colleges have National Cadet Corps (NCC) wings. What do these cadets do and why was this initiative started? Read on…

It is always a matter of pride to wear the khaki uniform when in school, isn’t it? Being a part of your school NCC opens avenues for you to become more disciplined and develop comradeship. It also helps to develop a secular outlook apart from instilling in you the spirit of adventure . There can be no doubt that people trained in NCC grow up to become better leaders with an extraordinary sense of patriotism. Apart from these, NCC also helps in developing a sect of youth who understand the importance of selfless service to the country.

How it started

A cadet corps committee was formed in September 1946 which was headed by Pt HN Kunzru who sent out teams (sub-committees) across the length and breadth of pre-independent India to do an exhaustive study of the problems faced by youth. The teams submitted their feedback in May 1947 to the Government of India. The period after gaining independence was very turbulent for India, so much so that the Cadet corps scheme was put on hold.

The partition of India and its consequences helped the then leaders realise that training the youth was of paramount importance. Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister, Sardar Baldev Singh, the then Defence Minister and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister brought the Kunzuru committee Report to the discussion table. The report after being approved by the Defence committee was sent to the Chief Secretaries and Chief Commissioners of all Provincial Govts (now called State Govts) for their comments. By Jan 1948, all of them who matter agreed in principle to the report.

After all the procedures were completed, the bill was passed by the assembly on April 8, 1948 after which it was named as the National Cadet Corps. The Governor General’s assent for the bill paved the way for ‘The National Cadet Corps Act 1948’.

The Bill received the assent of the Governor General on 16 Apr 1948, and the National Cadet Corps came into being by an Act of the Parliament Act No. XXXI of 1948 designated ‘The National Cadet Corps Act 1948’. This Act with 13 clauses, prescribed the formation of the National Cadet Corps in India. Gopal Gurunath Bewoor became the Director of NCC on May 31, 1948.

NCC of independent India was inaugurated on Jul 15, 1948. It is now the largest uniformed youth organisation in the world.