NCC eyes youths from Maoist-infested areas

BHUBANESWAR: With an increasing number of youths in Maoist-hit areas of the State being drawn into the Maoist fold, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) has decided to lay stress on attracting youths from these districts. Around 60 per cent of youths, particularly from tribal-dominated Maoist-infested districts, will be brought into the NCC fold. This was announced by NCC Director-General (DG) Lt. General P S Bhalla who was here on a visit to the State’s air squadron located near the Biju Patnaik Airport. Bhalla said the NCC was planning 60 new units in the country, five of which would be located in the State. These units will come up in Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada and Jharsuguda districts.  The NCC has 13 lakh cadets and its strength will be increased in phases. During his interaction with the cadets at the air squadron, Lt Gen Bhalla said the present NCC pattern would undergo  change and accordingly, the curriculum will be changed. “It will focus on improving leadership qualities and soft skills of the cadets,” he said. The DG also met the air wing cadets of the units and expressed happiness over their performance. Wing Commander Bikash Kanungo, Deputy Director-General for Orissa Commodore Lalit Kumar Agarwal were present.Earlier on Thursday, the DG met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and discussed issues relating to strengthening of NCC in Orissa and opening of a NCC battalion in the State. He also discussed provision of more incentives to NCC cadets by the State Government in education and job avenues. Naveen promised all support to the NCC establishment.