About 170 young boy and girl cadets, hailing from all across the country, gathered at Kavaratti (Lakshadweep) recently, eager to take active part in the Special National Integration Camp (SNIC). It was a disciplined but notely group looking forward to the prospects of the camp. They had embarked upon the tryst with the sea riding on INS Tarangini and Merchant vesselle Kavaratti from the mainland to this rather non descript destination. However, for the raw youth the place was a treasure tove for next 12 days to discover themselves and shape their personalities.
Six SNICs are conducted by the NCC in six remote directional corners of the vast country . Leh, Jaisalmer, Lakshadweep, Port-Blair, Kakinada and Kohima, with the aim of reaching out to these secluded areas and its populace to connect them to the Indian panorama. Accordingly, the activities during these camps center around local folk lore and the obtaining landscape. These camps, nestled in the cradle of the nature, are structured to provide a platform that is inducive to social and cultural interaction among the diverse youth to develop an understanding of one another's way of living, social structure and cultural traditions.
The training conducted during the camp included orientation of the island, debate and quiz competitions, National Integration Awareness Presentations, lectures by the guest speakers, snorkeling, visits to the Naval detachment, local houses, schools and museums. It is pertinent to highlight the role of Indian Navy in providing ample support to the camp without which a camp on the remote island could not have been feasible. The DGNCC, Lt Gen RK Karwal, AVSM,SM**,VSM and Mr. JK Dadoo IAS, The Administrator Lakshasweep not only visited the camp to inspire the young cadets but also coordinate the conduct of the camp at the highest level.
The nucleus of youth representing entire country carried many a lessons, experiences and indelible memories home to spread it to their beers and others. The camp also proved a great milestone for the local populace. It can be said with conviction that these unique camps have been able to achieve the aim of uniting our vast and diverse Nation into one common fabric.
