New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the first Governing Council Meeting of the National Cadet Corps Alumni Association (NCCAA) here on Friday and said the “guidance” of former cadets can help accelerate the goal of national development.
The NCCAA is a flagship association of the NCC Alumni which aims to carry forward the work of the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation by bringing the former and current cadets under one umbrella and enhance their participation in the nation building process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first member of this association. Singh is registered as the second alumnus.
“We need to include the guidance of our former cadets to accelerate the goal of national development,” he said, exuding confidence that the NCCAA will provide new energy and direction to the NCC.
The meeting took place at the South Block here. In his address, the minister also described the NCC as a platform that presents an ideal for the youth of the country.
He termed the former NCC cadets as “strong pillars of India” who are contributing to the nation’s development in diverse fields not just passively but as active drivers.
Singh exhorted the NCC to spread the values and qualities of its cadets to a larger section of people with the spirit of ‘NCC Plus’.
“The NCC instills these values in the youth, who are associated with the NCC. Our effort should be to ensure that these values reach those who could not join the NCC,” he said.
The minister highlighted that NCCAA can be actively associated with nation building efforts through programmes such as ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, ‘Swachhta Abhiyan’ and various community development and social service schemes, which will influence a large part of the population.
Commending the NCC for its significant contribution in the all-round development of the youth, Singh said in the true spirit of its motto ‘Unity & Discipline’, the NCC has always been committed to national unity and nation building.
“It has helped lakhs of youth, including students from remote areas, to become disciplined and motivated,” he added.
The meeting was attended by Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Department of Education) Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Department of Youth Affairs) Pallavi Jain Govil, Defence Ministry Additional Secretary Dipti Mohil Chawla, NCC Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh and NCCAA Secretary Colonel Gagan Sharma. PTI KND AS AS
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