Inimical forces trying to stunt country’s growth: PM

“In such circumstances the responsibility of youth organisations like NCC that inspires its cadets to serve the country increase manifold,” he said after reviewing the NCC cadets’ parade.

The Prime Minister said though the 13-lakh cadet strong NCC was a large organisation,it comprised of just about four per cent of the eligible youth in the country.

“I wish and urge you to increase this number so that many more eligible youth can benefit from the NCC’s activities,” he said.

Applauding the “disciplined and smart” turn out of the NCC cadets at the parade,Singh congratulated them on their achievements in activities like mountaineering and sports at the global level.

Recalling that India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had in 1952 directed inclusion of community development as a curriculum in NCC,the Prime Minister said he was happy to note that the cadets were actively involved in disaster relief and social service,apart from global warming,environment,cancer and AIDS relief.

He also called for expanding the scope of the youth exchange programme of the NCC to increase the number of cadets from foreign countries attending the camp.