Girl cadets who are crafting an inspiring road to national service

From pushing personal limits to mastering survival skills, and from leading with confidence to inspiring each other, cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) follow one ethos in their actions - service before self. These cadets strive hard to live up to the NCC motto of Unity and Discipline. On Independence Day, we met some of the girl cadets who look forward to serve the nation in any capacity that allows them to.

I became a confident and disciplined personAarna Upadhyay, Army Junior Wing (Blue Ridge Public School, Hinjawadi)
Joining NCC was a group decision made with a bunch of friends and I can’t thank them enough for this once-in-a-lifetime experience that changed me entirely as a person. From a shy underdog, I became a confident, disciplined, and respected person. I learned to dream high and wish to be a part of the Republic Day parade in Delhi one day.

Learned the power of time management
Leena Patil, Navy Junior Wing (MIT-WPS, Alandi)
People told me NCC wasn't for me as I was a very indisciplined kid. But I proved them wrong and learned the power of time management which has helped me achieve something that felt unachievable. I now communicate better, face seniors confidently, and take pride in representing my unit everywhere I go.

Joined NCC to push my limits and see if I could survive the trainingSurabhi Varode, Navy Senior Wing (SP College)
NCC is like a dress rehearsal for becoming an armed forces officer. It has taught me survival and given me a small glimpse of life in the Indian armed forces. It is fascinating to see officers in uniform, but what goes in achieving that pride, that is something we learn here. The NCC training has completely changed me as a person.

From holding a rifle to witnessing artillery shows, it is a surreal experienceTanu Bhan, Army Senior Wing (MIT-ADT, Loni Kalbhor)
One of the best things that I've learned in NCC is - Service comes first, self later. From holding a rifle with live ammunition to witnessing artillery shows, it is a surreal experience. As an army kid, discipline has been in my blood, but what NCC gave me was a peer group with a common goal. It's unity that holds us together here.

NCC goes beyond just uniformed parades and physical training sessions. The cadets are capable of being a second line response team in case of any emergency, disaster or war-like situation.
- Col Nishad Mangrulkar, CO, 36 Mah NCC Battalion, Army Wing

I had zero interest in the forces. But two years of training have transformed me into a disciplined, punctual and confident person who can make friends anywhere.
- Rashi Rananavare, Air Force Senior Wing (Ajeenkya DY Patil University, Lohegaon)

I have craved this uniform since I first saw young cadets wearing it. Now, I wear it with pride. I got a chance to lead from the front here.
- Sarisha Thorat, Air Force Junior Wing (MES Rani Laxmibai Sainiki Shala, Pirangut)