06 Sep 2021 – T Suntwari Village – Machhal Sector – Near the Line of Control
06 Sep was unlike any usual day in the border village of T Suntwari, for the air was filled with eager expectation and excitement in anticipation of arrival of a prestigious and admired visitor. The sleepy border village as such had been woken up from its idyllic moorings on 01/ 02 Sep when 68 Senior Division, National Cadet Corps (NCC) Cadets from North Kashmir; from places as far off as Sopore, Handwara, Baramula, Rafiabad, Langate, Lolab, Karnah, Bandipora and Kupwara arrived to attend the Annual Training Camp despite the Geelani Event. Such a NCC Camp also happens to be a first for Macchal Sector and is being organised by 3 J&K Battalion NCC Baramulla with support from the Machhal Brigade. A total of 150 Cadets which comprises of 68 Cadets of Senior Division and 75 of Junior Division (including eight girl cadets) are participating in the seven day Camp which comprises of activities such as physical training, drill, weapon training and firing, yoga, hiking, sports, community service, environment protection initiatives and cultural programmes.
The Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General DP Pandey, AVSM, VSM as usual arrived punctually at the appointed time, driving the Tata Strome himself, with his trademark swagger accompanied by Major General VMB Krishnan, YSM, GOC 28 Infantry Division. He was received and given a smart salute by two pilots comprising of junior division cadets namely Cadet Ishfaq Ahmad Harey and Cadet Suheib Rashid from Machhal. The drill of these two little cadets was so outstanding that the Corps Commander couldn’t help admiring immensely. Thereafter, the Corps Commander was given a Guard of Honour by immaculately turned out cadets of Senior Division led by Cadet Shofie Burhan. There precise drill movements and perfect gait earned praises from one and all. The Corps Commander was quick to remark that the Guard was as good if not better than any Army unit. Thereafter, the Corps Commander gave away prizes to the Guard as also to Cadets excelling in various fields. While Cadet Mir Firdous was adjudged as best in drill, Cadet Gurpreet Singh was the best firer and Cadet Munir Ahmad Baba was declared the overall best cadet. The newly enrolled eight girl cadets from Machhal Sector were especially felicitated. In turn each girl cadets impressed all by their smart salute and loud JAI HIND SIR! greetings to the Corps Commander.
Thereafter, the Corps Commander’s first sentence in the address to the cadets was; Howz the Josh ? It was replied by a thunderous ‘HIGH SIR’ by the cadets which broke the silence of this border village on the line of control and showed the sky high morale and stupendous motivation of the cadets. In his address to the cadets the Corps Commander mentioned that the cadets i.e. the youth are the future of the country and it is on their strong shoulders rests the peace, prosperity and security of the Nation. He extorted them to be good citizens before anything else. He cited that great deeds and social service is being rendered by NCC cadets especially during the ongoing COVID pandemic. He requested the cadets to come out and render selfless service towards the community during disasters as also for social causes like drug de-addiction. In the end, he thanked the parents of the cadets for having reposed the faith in the Army by sending them for the Camp to such a far off place.
Thereafter, the Corps Commander joined the cadets in singing the NCC Song; ‘Hum Sab Bhartiya Hain’ … ‘Kashmir Ki Dharti Rani Hai’…. Mandir Gurudwara Bhi Hain Yahan aur Masjid Bhi Hai Yahan…. Lekin Jagmag Ek Hai, Ha Ha Ha Ek Hai .. Hum Sab Bhartiya Hain’.
Later, the Corps Commander posed for group photograph and individual photos/ selfies with the excited cadets who moored over him. Answering to questions from the media, the Corps Commander expressed his happiness over the conduct of the Camp in such a remote location and the overwhelming participation from Cadets from as far of places as Sopore. He also appreciated the enthusiasm of the cadets and thanked the parents for sending their wards for the Camp. The event came to a close with hot tea, jalebis and samosas over which the cadets feasted as enthusiastically before hitting the training ground for hard albeit exciting day of the Annual Training Camp.
