SRINAGAR: Major General Mukesh Sharma on Tuesday assumed charge as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, outlining plans to expand the organisation’s reach, strengthen youth participation and modernise its training programmes.
Under the theme “Envision and Evolve: Empowering Youth, Strengthening NCC, Building the Nation”, Sharma said his priorities would include extending NCC activities to more schools and colleges, particularly in remote, rural and border areas, creating greater opportunities for girl cadets and making training programmes more relevant to contemporary needs.
Emphasising the NCC’s guiding principles of “Unity and Discipline”, he said the organisation was committed to developing confident, disciplined and responsible citizens with leadership qualities and a spirit of service.
Highlighting the achievements of 20 girl cadets who successfully crossed the 5,578-metre-high Parang La Pass during the Aparajita Expedition, Sharma described their accomplishment as an example of courage, determination and leadership.
He said efforts would be made to provide more such opportunities to girl cadets and ensure that geographical barriers did not prevent young people from joining the NCC.
Sharma also stressed the need to strengthen the organisation through modern and engaging training methods, while calling for closer cooperation with educational institutions, the civil administration and other stakeholders.
Addressing young cadets, he urged them to set ambitious goals, face challenges with confidence, maintain physical fitness, stay away from drugs and continuously improve their skills.
“NCC is not merely about uniforms, drills and parades; it is about building character, leadership and responsible citizens,” he said.
The new ADG acknowledged the contribution of NCC officers and staff working at the grassroots level in shaping young people and sought continued support from the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the Ladakh administration, educational institutions, parents and the media.
