Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 12: 6 Karnataka Air Sqn NCC, Mangaluru conducted its annual training camp to impart the required training to the Senior Division/ Senior Wing and Junior Division/Junior Wing NCC cadets from August 3 to 10 at St Joseph Engineering College. A total of 362 cadets took part in the camp out of which 139 cadets were from the senior division/wing of four institutions (St. Aloysius College Mangalore, Alva’s College Moodbidri, St Agnes College Mangaluru and St Joseph Engineering College Vamanjoor) and 224 cadets were from Junior division/wing from six different schools (St Anne's High School Virajpet, St Philomena High School Puttur, SDMA, Dharmasthala, St Aloysius High School Mangaluru, Jain High School Moodbidri and Sharada Vidyalaya Mangaluru).

The intention of the camp was to provide military training to the cadets. The training for all the cdts used to start early morning. They needed to wake up around 5 am and make themselves available for PT followed by a drill session. Thereafter, there were lectures on various topics including NCC common subjects, and special aviation-related subjects like Principles of flight, Airframes, Instruments, Meteorology, Airmanship and Navigation. During afternoons, there were guest lectures on many informative topics like ‘Life below water: freshwater fishes of Western Ghats’ by Galvin Rodrigues, ‘Art of public speaking by Manoj Fernades, ‘Gender Equity’ by Dr Vidya D’Souza, ‘Extraordinary insects & their needs for humans’ by Kiran Vati, ‘Traffic safety and security by Prof Sureshnath, ‘First Aid Training’ by Prof Sacheth Suvarna, ‘Animal welfare and rescue’ by Sulakshana, ‘Fire hazards and fire fighting demo’ by fire station officer Sunil Kumar, ‘POCSO and RTI Acts’ by Aylwin D’Souza and ‘Type of Snake and demo’ by Mahesh Lester. A few special topics also were covered by the Associate NCC Officers of the Sqn. These included: Airframes by Fg Offr Parveez Shariff BG, Leadership Traits by FgOffr Alwyn Misquith and National Integration by CTO Prashant Kurdekar.

The cadets were also exposed to the firing of 0.22 rifles wherein they practiced firing on a fixed target at 25 yards in a form of grouping and application. During the camp, besides the routine of various training activities, the Sqn also undertook competitions among cadets in various disciplines such as 0.22 Grouping, 0.22 Application, Individual Drill, Contingent Drill, Written exam on special subjects, GK and current affairs. The Sqn conducted an inter-flight volleyball championship wherein all the cadets participated enthusiastically.

Around 110 cadets were taken for a training visit to NCC Hangar and the Air Traffic Control Complex at the Mangalore International Airport for familiarization with the Microlight Aircraft and functioning of ATC services. The Sqn organized a Blood Donation Camp in coordination with the International Red Cross Society. A total of 34 units of precious blood were collected during this camp. The cadets also participated in social activities like the ‘Clean India Campaign’ to keep the campsite clean and promote hygiene.

The cultural values were also encouraged by keeping them engaged in an informal cultural gathering, wherein they practiced and then participated in various events like group songs, group dances and skits.

The aim of conducting all these competitions was to promote a healthy competitive spirit which encourages them all to perform better in every sphere.

During the camp, Col Naresh Kumar Bhagasara, Sena Medal, Group Commander, NCC Group HQ Mangalore, visited the campsite and inspected the training activities, quality of food and facilities being extended to the cadets and expressed his satisfaction and happiness over the conduct of the camp.

On August 9, the valedictory ceremony was conducted at Kalam Auditorium in which the director of the institution, Fr Wilfred Prakash D’Souza was invited as the chief guest of the event. During the valedictory, the cadets performed striking cultural programmes representing the motto of the NCC, ‘Unity and Discipline’. Prizes for all events were given away by Chief Guest, Camp Commandant and Deputy Camp Commandant. The award for the overall best contingent for the SD/SW category was won by Alva’s College Moodbidri and that for the JD/JW category was won by Sharada Vidyalaya Mangaluru.

The squadron made it a wonderful experience which proved to be a healthy mix of quality training and movements of learning and enjoyment for all cadets. These 8 days spent by the cadets at the training camp will certainly leave them better people, more aware and involved individuals who will prove to be assets to the nation in the times to come.

After rigorous training of 8 days for the cadets and wholehearted efforts by the squadron personnel, the camp to an end in the evening hours on August 10.