- NCC inspiring youth to become responsible and disciplined Citizens: Governor
Governor Kavinder Gupta today visited the 2 Himachal Pradesh NCC Battalion in Mandi. He formally inaugurated the Sarvadharma Sthal established at the battalion and presented a Commendation Award to the Battalion for its outstanding achievements. Lady Governor Bindu Gupta was also present on the occasion.
The Governor said that the National Cadet Corps (NCC) was established with the objective of developing discipline, character, leadership, national integration and a spirit of selfless service among the youth. Functioning under the Ministry of Defence, the organisation is inspiring millions of young people across the country to become responsible, disciplined and aware citizens of the nation.
Kavinder Gupta said that the NCC motto, ‘Unity and Discipline,’ was not merely a slogan but a comprehensive philosophy of life. Unity teaches us to respect diversity, while discipline makes us dedicated to our duties. When these two values become an integral part of a young person's personality, they not only achieve success in life but also contribute significantly to the progress of society and the nation.
He said that NCC cadets develop a spirit of patriotism and sacrifice for the nation from an early age. Through training, they develop a sense of dedication towards the country. He said that he had also been an NCC cadet and had visited Palampur in Himachal Pradesh for training.
The Governor said that the Agniveer scheme was a distinctive initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prepare youth for the defence of the nation. Similarly, the NCC prepares dedicated and disciplined youth for national service. He said that organizations such as the NCC and Home Guards play an important role in fulfilling national responsibilities during both wartime and peacetime.
He said that the youth of Himachal Pradesh had brought laurels to the state through their talent and dedication in the Indian Armed Forces and various other fields. The Himachal Pradesh NCC plays an important role in carrying this tradition forward. The selection of NCC cadets under the Agniveer recruitment scheme reflects the effectiveness of these efforts.
Sh. Gupta said that the achievements of the 2 Himachal Pradesh NCC Battalion in Mandi were particularly noteworthy. The battalion was selected as the best NCC unit under the NCC Directorate last year, reflecting its excellent functioning, the dedication of its officers and the hard work of its cadets. He expressed confidence that the establishment of the Sarvadharma Sthal at the battalion headquarters would promote the spirit of religious harmony among cadets.
During August-September 2026, 28 girl cadets from Himachal Pradesh participated in a 22-day Parang La trekking expedition from Himachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrating courage, endurance and determination. Similarly, 70 cadets completed a boating expedition of approximately 350 kilometres in Gobind Sagar Lake over a period of more than 12 days, setting an excellent example of discipline, physical fitness and teamwork.
The Governor said that these achievements demonstrated that the youth of Himachal Pradesh were not only prepared to face challenges but were also exploring new possibilities through their courage and talent. He also described the ascent of Mount Everest by Cadet Kritika Sharma of Nahan as part of the All India NCC Girl’s Expedition as an inspiring achievement.
NCC Group Commander Brigadier Harjit Singh briefed the Governor about various NCC activities. He informed him that approximately 35,000 NCC cadets were receiving training in schools and colleges under the Shimla Group. Activities associated with the Army, Navy and Air Force were providing them with diverse experiences.
Commander Mandi Battalion, Col. Abhishek Mukherjee, presented details of various achievements of the battalion.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar, senior NCC officers and officials from other departments were also present on the occasion.
