ITANAGAR, Oct 11: A total of 550 NCC boy cadets from five directorates are participating in the eight-day North Eastern Region (NER) Trek-I camp being organised by 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion NCC under the aegis of NCC Group Headquarters (Bravo), Tezpur, at MTGHSS Itanagar from October 10 to 17.
The participating cadets represent the North Eastern Region Directorate, West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate, Bihar and Jharkhand Directorate, Odisha Directorate, and Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Directorate.
The camp officially commenced on October 11 with the Commanding Officer of 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion NCC welcoming the cadets to Arunachal Pradesh. Emphasising the importance of physical fitness, he said trekking helps build resilience, improve physical and mental endurance, and prepare cadets to face life's challenges with confidence and adaptability.
Organised in keeping with the NCC motto of ‘Unity and Discipline’, the camp aims to promote camaraderie, teamwork and national integration through adventure and cultural exchanges.
The training programme includes sessions on safety and first aid, the tribes and traditions of Arunachal Pradesh, and demonstrations on knots, lashings and hitches. The cadets will also undertake treks to Chimi village and Poma Hills.
A survival day featuring local culture and cuisine, an ‘Itanagar Darshan’ programme, games, athletics, treasure hunts, quizzes and cultural activities have also been planned to provide participants with a comprehensive experience of the region.
The camp seeks to familiarise cadets with the cultural diversity and way of life of Northeast India while developing discipline, endurance and team spirit. It also aims to make national integration a lived experience by bringing together young people from different regions of the country.
The camp is scheduled to conclude on October 17, with organisers expecting the participants to return with lasting memories, stronger bonds of friendship and a deeper appreciation of India's cultural diversity.