Date:24/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/24/stories/2008112458720400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

NCC Day celebration

Staff Reporter

— Photo: R. Ragu

COLOURFUL GALA: Students stage a cultural programme marking NCC Day celebration at Stella Maris College on Sunday.

CHENNAI: The NCC Directorate (Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar) celebrated NCC Day at Stella Maris College in the city on Sunday.

Environment Minister T. P. M. Mohideen Khan recalled the spirit of discipline, enthusiasm to take up social service and nation-building activities, inculcated in him when he was a cadet about 40 years ago.

Mr. Khan assured that the State Government would support the NCC Directorate in all ways. He had a special word of appreciation for S. Divya, who has won the best cadet award. He also released the NCC Journal 2008.

NCC Directorate Deputy Director General Sartaj Imam said he was honoured to participate in the 60th anniversary celebration. Mr. Imam said the NCC’s basic characteristic was inculcating in the students the spirit of unity, integrity and oneness. He said the NCC has around 13 lakh cadets in India, with Tamil Nadu alone accounting for 91,000. He said the cadets from Tamil Nadu had been doing an exceptional job and explained how the cadets shouldered the responsibilities of helping the people, when the tsunami struck.

A colourful cultural programme was the attraction of the evening.