Make NCC mandatory in all schools: Purohit

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit was speaking at the Banyan Tree School in Sector 48 on Saturday at an event to mark Rezang La Day and to commemorate the sacrifices made by the Indian soldiers in the battle.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said, “I take pride in saluting the 104 soldiers of Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon Regiment who fought the Chinese against all odds." (File)

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Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit has stressed on the need to make NCC compulsory in all schools. He was speaking at the Banyan Tree School in Sector 48 on Saturday at an event to mark Rezang La Day and to commemorate the sacrifices made by the Indian soldiers in the battle.

While Purohit was the chief guest at the event organised by Suvichar, a city-based think tank, former Army chief General V P Malik (retd) was the guest of honour. Param Vir Chakra awardees, Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bana Singh (retd) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, were also felicitated on the occasion. They narrated their wartime experience to the audience.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said, “I take pride in saluting the 104 soldiers of Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon Regiment who fought the Chinese against all odds. It was a saga of unparalleled bravery as Major Shaitan Singh and other soldiers had made the supreme sacrifice, fighting one of the world’s rarest ‘last man, last bullet’ battles. We have been listening to bravery stories of our martyrs and it’s a privilege for us to have two Param Vir Chakra awardees amongst us. I myself wanted to join the Indian Air Force but due to some reason could not clear the medical test.”

He said today the Indian defence forces are the most well-equipped force. But due to paucity of funds, not all schools have NCC, the governor said, adding that it should be made compulsory for all students.

Addressing the audience, General V P Malik said that it was a privilege to have the parents of Captain Vikram Batra here on the occasion. Recalling the significance of Rezang La Day, he said Indian soldiers have set an example of bravery and leadership for the entire world.

“These brave hearts are a source of inspiration for the entire nation,” General Malik said, adding that “it is our responsibility to remember all those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation. All battles must be remembered and analysed. Rezang La Day reminds us of the lack of equipment which was a big lesson for the country.”

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Col D S Cheema (retd) also said that “it was an honour for us to have parents of Captain Vikram Batra at the event, besides parents of Maj Anuj Rajput and kin of other martyrs of Rezang La Day.” The event also had a screening of a film on Rezang La made by the Ministry of Defence. NCC cadets and other students were seen speaking to Param Vir Chakra awardees.

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Many senior officers from the administration, police, armed forces and judiciary were also present. Among prominent guests included Maj Gen B D Wadhwa (retd), Pro-Chancellor, IILM University, former IAS officer Vivek Atray, and Raghuvender Yadav of Yaduvanshi Maha Sabha, among others. Battle of Rezang La – one of the few bright spots in the War with China – took place at Rezang La Pass in Ladakh on November 18, 1962.

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