New Delhi, Jan 20 (UNI) Defence Minster Rajnath Singh on Monday exhorted NCC cadets to strive hard to realise the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, describing them as the assets of India.
Addressing the cadets during his visit to the NCC Republic Day Camp at Delhi Cantt here, the Minister said that the cadets, irrespective of the fields they work in, contribute to nation building through the qualities of ‘leadership’, ‘discipline’, ‘ambition’ and ‘patriotism’ harnessed in them by NCC, a Defence Ministry statement said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a pledge to make India a developed country by 2047. He (Modi) has been an NCC cadet himself. So, if an ex-NCC cadet has seen a dream, it becomes the biggest responsibility of all other cadets to fulfill it. Viksit Bharat does not mean development of a piece of land; it means the progress of 140 crore Indians who live in unison despite social and cultural diversity. Along with ourselves, we must do something good for society, and soon India will become a developed nation,” Rajnath said.
He commended the cadets for their commitment, discipline and love for the nation. He also emphasised that what India has been able to achieve as a country is due to the hard work of everyone, especially the youth.
“Whenever I meet NCC cadets, I don’t just see a cadet in them. I see the reflection of India, which has many bodies but one soul, many branches but one root, many rays but one light. These cadets hail from different regions, speak different languages and follow different customs and traditions, but the one thing which is common in them is ‘unity’. Their energy and enthusiasm is proof that India’s future is bright,” Singh added.
The Defence Minister added that many countries became independent around the same time when India attained freedom.
“Only those nations which held on to the values of discipline, integrity and national unity are developing today, while those who did not are in chaos,” he said, appreciating NCC for harnessing these qualities that are essential to every individual.
Explaining the true meaning of leadership to the cadets, the Minister cited Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s heroic sacrifice during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks which continues to inspire the nation.
Singh called upon the cadets to never stop learning as circumstances keep changing, demanding a new approach and new skill-set each time.
He underscored the importance of moulding oneself to the changing times as new problems cannot be solved with an old approach or old skill-set. Keeping the future in mind, skill development should also be the priority.
Rajnath urged the cadets to face every challenge with confidence and without the fear of failure, stating that the ‘never give up’ attitude is the key to success.
As part of the event, Singh reviewed an impressive ‘Guard of Honour’ by the cadets drawn from all the three wings of NCC. The event also included the ‘Investiture Ceremony’ where the cadets were awarded with the Raksha Mantri Padak and Commendation Cards for their outstanding performance & dedication to duty.
