My NCC (National Cadets' "Corpse")

15th august would be just another normal day for me. I would either end up slouching the whole day doing nothing or my day would be wasted before the TV watching the live broadcast of the Independence Day program from Delhi. But of late, I’d become such a lazy ass, I wouldn’t even bother taking the pain to wake up at 6 in the morning and watch the Independence Day proceedings. Just another irresponsible Indian in the making!
Just a year back, my college notice boards advertised new enrollments for NCC (National Cadet Corps).
 Day 1: the NCC notice didn’t even catch my eye.
Day 2: a totally uninterested eyeing through the notice. “Students who are interested to join NCC are requested to contact the college senior for enrollment forms. Last date for entries…” and the notice went on. The first thought that came to my mind was This is so not for me. Imagine a lazy bum like me who knows nothing beyond books and who has never participated in any form of physical training, joining NCC. It would be the ultimate way for me to humiliate myself. Moreover, I had not even the slightest intention of joining the defense line. The thought slipped out of my head and the last day for submission of forms arrived. I didn’t bother about NCC, although I happen to remember joining NCC in school. But then my school was just like me, lazy and bookish. Extracurricular activities like NCC were just a namesake. A few days later, I don’t know what bug got into me; I went and contacted the college ANO. He got me into contact with the college senior and strangely, I returned back with a form in my hand! Since then started my NCC. And I was very much right; it was indeed the ultimate way to humiliate myself. I had to appear for the B certificate exam. Self - humiliation in college is fine, but imagine the height and intensity of self humiliation in a camp with some 700 cadets 700 times better than you. That camp was literally a nightmare, with me unable to do any of the drill. And the rigorous training sessions were sheer torture. It was a miracle that I returned back alive from the camp! (Although I was several shades darker and thinner!) I think the only thought that kept me going was that I would get slim that too free of cost! My talents at the cultural events got me noticed, which was also a disadvantage because I was just the opposite when it came to the grueling drill sessions.
So this year, my seniors asked me to participate in the local parades during the Republic Day and Independence Day. I was scared as hell that I’d mess up everything because parade is all about keeping sync with the rest of the group. I went to the training sessions and Republic Day flowed smoothly. Now a more confident cadet, I was all prepared for the Independence Day parade. But I wasn’t prepared for the practice sessions that the seniors had in their mind. It reminded me of my dreadful first camp. Out of practice and badly out of shape, it wouldn’t even take me 5 minutes to go out of breath. But I held on (I desperately had to get thin) and went through it all. Finally the day of the parade came, and by God’s grace, everything was great. The weather was fine, the minister was great (that’s because his speech was very short!) and the parade was also fine. Looking back, I think I have evolved from being the Queen of Clumsiness to an NCC cadet proper, with me standing the extreme right line and facing the dignitaries. I do deserve a pat on my back for this great metamorphosis! Now I’m all determined to go to Delhi for the parade in Rajpath. But its obviously not easy, I need to go through 5 PRD (Pre-Republic Day) camps to get selected for the Republic Day Camp. But I have confidence enough that I can do it now. Let’s see how it all goes. I have now become darker although not slimmer, and Delhi guarantees me a “size – zero” figure in three months! The best part of joining NCC is that it has added another dimension to my personality. No one in their wildest dreams can imagine that a person like me can also be interested in NCC and can attend camps. And I have become more confident in my abilities now. If a person like me can join NCC and survive through it, then anyone else can. And what’s more, I have not just survived; I have also been promoted to an Under Officer from a mere cadet. Kudos to me!!! ;)
So now my 15th Augusts and 26th Januarys are not wasted slouching before the TV, but are spent properly on the field in the parade. I can finally say that I have become a conscious citizen of my country making my country proud.
A couple of images during 26th January and 15th August...
10 Assam BN NCC, 15th august

a fun moment after parade on 26th January

camera caught me unaware, at 15th August

Girls platoon of 10 Assam BN with their 1st prize on 26th January. (find me out!) 

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