Finally after those funny and good exams my NCC life was getting over, I got many good experience through it most of all I got many friend. I was happy and sad at the same time, happy because I don’t have to get up early during Saturdays and go for parade, sad because I was leaving an entire world of fun. Sometimes we have to give up achieving bigger things. We had NCC sent off on 20 March 2010 and I did the MC for that day, usually we should have given it to the juniors but my senior Sussky insisted that I should do it. Then I thought let it be because it is the last time that NCC is giving me another opportunity.
The program went well and Principal was our chair person. Many of the seniors gave a last speech and same way juniors expressed their sincere gratitude. Then our Ex-seniors gave one of the seniors for the most dedicated cadet, Sajna was the most dedicated cadet that year. That concept was brought by the Ex-seniors only.
After that program we had ice cream distribution, and seniors ate ice cream as if they never had ice cream in their life. It was getting late and was 4pm. We soon went to Muzhappilangad beach to enjoy and play in the sunset. After spending a long time there, we returned back. That’s it NCC is over for me. Only thing which remain is just some memories in my heart. I miss NCC and it is a great place to be in.
B certificate and C certificate exams are the major exams in NCC. B certificate exam occurred in our college on 6 and 7 February 2010. Our juniors were not prepared for the exam; they didn’t get weapon assembling classes from battalion as CO had clashes with our NCC officer. Then our juniors had exam for two days. First day they had theory exam and second day there was drill test. Theory exam was good one and seniors really helped them. Many took NCC guides in exam hall and they copied well. We encouraged our juniors too to take the book and promised that we will help them during exams.
Seniors prepared lime juice for the cadets and that preparation was funny. We had a big vessel and the ingredients but no spoon to stir. We used two separate vessels to mix the contents, some insisted that we should use our naked hands and stir but I and many others hesitated to do it. We prepared the juice by the end of exam and all seniors distributed the juice in the exam rooms. We helped maximum cadets and helped them. PI staffs also helped them. NCC exams are like that, I thought it occurred like this only in Kannur but soon I understood in my C Certificate exam that it is always like copying only.
The drill test was another joke. Most of the cadets didn’t know the assembling of weapons. We helped our cadets maximum and tell them to do fast and escape from there. The PI staffs were seeing our activities and were laughing like hell. The other drills were fine and it went well. The juniors thanked us very much.
Our C certificate exam was in West hill Polytechnic College. We had to stay there for two days to complete our test. The girl cadets’ test was over in the first day only but we waited for the boys and then we returned. We booked a hotel for our stay and went to West hill. The exam was on 14 February 2010. We left college on 13 February and went to Calicut by train. Susmita’s mother was there with us. The train journey was superb, few were studying and few were talking. We sang, danced and enjoyed the journey. We reached in night 8pm and ate food and then slept. There were some room confusion as some of the girls wanted to stay in the sane room and there was a little misunderstanding there. Susmita and Anju cried from there because of this reason.
The next day we got up early and ate food, and then we went to the exam center. There were more than 1000 cadets including both boys and girls. I got a little scared for the exam but it didn’t matter. Soon we were given rooms for the theory exams. All of us took the guides for the exam, the officers were strangers for us but they too helped us for the exam. They give signal to remain silent whenever the group commander came and passed by. We were such good cadets and we obeyed them carefully. Then it happened, we got another signal from the officers that the Group commander was coming, I and many cadets were outside and writing exam. We soon stopped copying and remained silent and disciplined. But the cadets inside the class room next to us failed to get the signal from the officers and they were still copying. The group commander caught Bharathasree red handed and started lecturing. I thought he would ban her further writing the exam but it didn’t happen. He just lectured and allowed to write the exam. The theory exam was fine and I was sure that I would pass in it.
Again there was drill test and weapon drill test. That too went well and girls finished their test and went to the hotel back. We had firing test too that day, which was only for the first batch. I was in the first batch and my five rounds hit the target. I was so happy and there were many cadets who were having their first firing. But they too were lucky to hit their targets. That day was a superb one. Many cadets went back home that day. But Seeju, Vimna and Greeshma remained there and went next day with the boys together. We had chicken Biriyani next day. That was a superb one.
The return journey was also good. We traveled in train and polytechnic college cadets also accompanied us. NCC was finally over by that exam. But those good and bad memories still remains in my mind and when I think of those moments it is simply awesome.
S N College and Polytechnic College always had fights for fame in NCC as we belonged under the battalion the fight was bit strong. We fought for best troop competition during RD and ID parades, for seniority in camps and best ‘treats’ from Battalion and camps too. Always S N College had more priority in everything but last few years S N College lost their glory in best troop competition parade during Republic day in the Police ground where the competition took place. We have been trying to get back the glory but it seems that the polytechnic cadets were way too strong.
In 2010 we were the seniors and the drill of our juniors was way too below the standards. So chance of winning was luck. NCC officers saw our performance during the RD rehearsals and mocked us, at the same time they supported Polytechnic cadets. Our seniors was getting tempered and ashamed of it so they thought they definitely had to get back the glory, from that day on many seniors came and started giving us training and training was bit strict. So tough and some of us got tired but the seniors didn’t care. We scolded seniors silently (that’s all we could do) but our parade didn’t go well and for the two rehearsals our standard was low but improved.
The day before the parade most of the seniors arrived and they gave us lot of confidence and inspiration by their speech and most of us were touched by it. So we thought definitely we have to win this. And we did! That’s was a great moment to be cherished, finally we got our glory back and we mocked at polytechnic seniors and juniors in the bus while we returned. You should have seen their faces filled with shame. We were roaring like victorious lion.
I had my last NCC camp in December at Mattanur 2009. I was a girl senior in that camp. It is a camp that I could never forget because there were many activities and so much fun in that camp. Camp events went on as planned. Sudhi was the camp senior and Pyare of poly technic college was the girl senior. We had parasailing in that camp. It was a good one.
I can say that we had played many things in that camp, all laziness and all mischief’s. Seeju, Susmita, Sajna were in that camp. We all were so close in that camp, Seeju and Susmita always played mischiefs in the camp, they found or made reasons to bunk parade and physical training sessions in morning. That was cool, Seeju had broken her leg in the camp and she bunked from all parade like that same way Susmita broke her hand. I had a small fever and I too bunked few parades. Once Sudhi almost found this, Seeju and Susmita was admitted in MI room due to their illness. Sajna, Pyare, Anagha and I were feeling tired and we went to MI room and slept for two hours. There were no girl senior in parade ground and Sudhi found this. Soon he called Sajna and Anagha from MI room and started taking weapon drill for guard of honor, the guard members were really exhausted due to continuous parade and then he learned from Sajna that I was also in MI room. He called me too and started taking weapon drill, because of my bad performance whole guard members got punishment. Then after 10 minutes he dispersed the guard team. Anagha was crying and he scolded Sudhi, well not directly but she expressed her anger to us.
We had parasailing in Muzhappilangad beach, it was my first one and I can say that it was really great. Few cadets have parasailing in morning like me and rest had in evening. The wind was not favoring that day’s activity. Two days we had parasailing and also the parasailing troops showed us other stuff such as tree climbing, roof climbing and etc. it was a good experience and Commanding officer Col A K Varma was there with us all day. He scolded Sudhi as he played circus during parasailing. But he didn’t care.
We had also firing competition and I can say that I was not a good shooter but my juniors, they always hit Bull’s eye and I used wonder. It was also a opportunity to find best shooter and select cadets for next TSC camp. Few got chance and seniors got many chance to fire using LMG. There was competition among seniors too, Sajna had very good eye for shooting.
The food in the camp was not good and they never gave us food as said in the menu. Our NCC officer Dr Sathish and Mattanur NCC officer also complained to group commander about this. This made the CO very angry and he was transferred later due to this but in his time we had B Certificate exam and he didn’t allow our cadets to study about weapon drill from Battalion. But our juniors’ way too smarter and they escaped that weapon drill session during the exams.
Seeju and Sajna did the “Pilot” when Group commander arrived. Seeju’s led was not at all well but she insisted to Sudhi that she really want to do Piloting. The teachers too said many things regarding this. But she didn’t listen.
Rekhitha & I did the MC in camp, Group commander came to visit us. we did MC for that day, and final camp day. It was a superb one. The final day in camp was so superb. We publically commented about the food and such camp things. CO didn’t expected that I think so. Susmitha and Bharathasree performed a classical dance for the last day and that was a awesome one. Camp fire was a superb thing and Dileesh was the DJ, but we had few minutes to celebrate it. we got many friends from the camp and the camp was simply superb for me in all ways.
A wildlife conservation awareness rally was planned by Kerala wildlife conservation forum in Kannur (Malabar); NCC cadets were there for the rally. It was conducted on 11 December 2009 in evening and several municipality authorities were present for the same. The rally started in evening and several other school students performed cultural activities in the rally. There was “dhaffMutt” by the CHM school students. Selected first year and second year cadets participated in the rally, after the rally there were awareness speech and such programs in town hall. The funny thing is that in noon the program members were given chicken Biriyani for lunch. We reached back to college by 6pm and soon we rushed to reach back home as it was getting dark soon.
Guard of honor competition was there on 31 (K) Bn Burnacherry on 5.11.2009. Group commander was the chief guest. Sudhi Krishnan was the guard commander and I was the regimental police to show the way to Group commander. Susmita & Anju were the pilots. Choice, Arjun, Vineesh, Nithin, Mansoor were other guard members. By noon guard of honor was completed. Formerly Dileesh was in the guard of honor group as second commander but as his voice was not suiting the camp he was replaced by Mansoor. Mansoor came on the Guard of honor day. Dileesh was really sad about it, he was always humiliated because of his height. After the program we got biscuits as prize no one really liked it but everyone ate it. Funny! I took many photos of guard of honor and its practice. It was so superb and I made a video on it too.
Blood donation camp occurred in our college on 29 October 2009 on behalf of NCC UNIT in S N college, NCC officer Dr Sathish C P was in charge of the event. Program began at 10 am and end at 2 PM. Blood donation and identification of blood group were the main activities of the camp. DR P Balakrishnan gave counselling on blood donation. NCC cadets supported all the activities which took on that day. I helped to make posters and placards.
More than 100 people including students and teachers donated blood on that day. Former NCC cadets, Existing cadets, students of various department, teachers and staff donated blood that day. It was a grant success and our college became first in numbers of blood donors that day, the previous blood donor number was 76 in Kannur, but our 100 blood donors added glory to our college and 120 students detected their blood group. As I had to attend Guard of honor event next day we couldn’t give blood that day. I regret it because the guard of honor day was cancelled due to some reasons but I was lucky that I really helped all on that day.
I came to college the very next day after reaching Kerala, everyone was curious to see me. I was happy to see my friends and shared my experience with all and then I saw my NCC mates and all of the friends said that I loosed my weight in the camp. I was shocked to hear it, I thought Oh my God how could this happen, anyways I enjoyed the new change. But it didn’t last long, my health was getting worse. I had frequent coughing and fever and also body pain. I felt tired very soon. parade was about to begin, but during the practices my health was getting worse. One morning during the parade I was about to fell unconscious, Greeshma was the girls senior and she told me to take rest. I said ok and went to take rest. That evening I went to consult the doctor as I had small eruptions all over my body specially legs hands and ears. Doctor at once said : “take rest for two weeks. You have got chicken pox.” Wow that’s was good one, I didn’t want to attend the parade and I have got to a solid excuse. I didn’t go for the ID parade. Full rest in home, that didn’t make me feel bored in home. I used to chat with friends in phone and got all news and gossips that occurred in the college. After two weeks my mom got the disease, she too took the same medicine. Then I went to college after two weeks. Teachers were moving with their portions and it took me almost a month to cope up with the studies, but I didn’t fail, all my efforts were giving me good results. I was gaining my health slowly but was slim.
We returned from the camp by road for two days and two days in train, by road via Kulu, Manali. The sceneries were so beautiful and great; I was engaged in photography even in van. We and some of the girl cadets were in a van. We had to stay in two army camps in two successive days, and in one camp we had to sleep in sleeping bags due to low temperature at evening and night. The camp soon ended and we didn’t know how the days were gone, some of the camp friends had contact even after the camp. In the end of July we reached Kerala. I and Vineesh got down from train in Palakkad and went to Kannur by bus. By evening 5pm I reached my home and it was so awesome for me. we had a great camp and got many good friends, Thanks to NCC
Next day we were ready for the flight, we were going to Leh by flight and our flight was at 6am. So we were ready in advance by 3am. We got wind resistant sweaters; we were informed that Leh had very cold wind always. We went to airport and waited for the formalities to be completed. There were some foreigners in the airport and when they saw us in NCC uniform they were very surprised and was smiling. I took many pictures of the airport and myself. Then I went to the airbus and then entered the flight. It was so cool.
The plane was a small one, only it could accommodate 200 cadets and luckily I got the side seat, it was so good that I took good photos of the sky and earth. That was my first flight and I can say that it is not that much interesting because we can’t move there much, we had to sit in the seat itself and watch the sky. First I took so many pictures of the clouds and sun, but soon it became boring. The clouds were beautiful but soon I got bored. Then the sun rose fully and it became difficult to look outside, so I closed the window.
By that time I got my breakfast, it was so delicious and good. Not so spicy or juicy but I liked it very much. Compared to the barrack food at it was simply awesome. We had to spend one hour in the plane and when we were about to reach Leh we could see the beautiful mountains covered with little snow. It was beautiful and great. Then we reached Leh airport. The officers were there to welcome us and we were welcomed very warmly.
We soon reached the camp and we got into girls barrack, there were many to welcome us. We were told to stay quite and to take rest so that we could acclimatize with the environment so soon. Then for one day we took complete rest. After that day we started to visit Leh tourist sites and places of interests.
First we went to Thickshey monastery, it was a great place. Buddhism was mainly here. The natives were praying and worshipping and we were just watching them, it was the first time I am getting around with an entirely different culture. I was surprised and amused at the same time. The Hinduism in Kerala was entirely different when compared here. Leh was mainly of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. I met many cadets of Leh. Some were very friendly but some were not so easy to be mingled. The way and sceneries in Leh was entirely different, wherever you look you can see brown mountains, some were covered with little snow on top. But they were having summer season when we were there but still it was cold at evenings and night. Only few girls took bath in morning. It was so cold for south Indians.
Hemis monatery was another place of interest but when we reached there it was closed due to construction purposes, we just lingered outside and climbed the small . It was much beautiful from outside than Thickshey monastery and they worshipped different God there. We just roamed here and there and found many good things to see. The saints were praying and were quiet. Actually I like that atmosphere. It is a good place for some soul searching but as I was busy with my friends and photography I just shoot those into my camera so fast so that we could see it again and again. There were some foreigners too; I just took some pictures with them.
Then we visited Hall of fame, previous day we had a small presentation about the history of Leh. That made us to understand more of Leh natives and its culture. There was a light and music presentation of leh history, it was also good but it was shown at evening and photography became a Herculean task. But I managed to take more photographs even though it was not so clear. Anju was always with me, no cadets walked alone they had company always and that is one of the best thing I love about NCC, we are never alone anywhere.
We had seminars and programs in Rinchen auditorium. It was so spacious and vivid for 200 cadets. DDG gave us an inaugural and welcoming speech on the very first day of the camp. We always talk and made noise in auditorium and officers had to control us every time. Here we had speech by different authorities about our career and career in army. There was also a slide presentation on Siachen army and their victory over army. Most of the cadets used to sleep during seminar presentation and officers used to wake us up.
We used to get tea time after the seminar presentation. I swear from my experience that the tea was so perfect, the snacks always tasted better. We used to have large variety of snacks. Wow it was really marvelous. We used to have tea party with CO, army officials and government peoples. It was a great experience, many ministers of J&K visited our camps and we were so thrilled. Even though I don’t remember their names they were good looking and their speech was good.
Once the DG of NCC came for tea party, He spend only one hour in Leh but it was so good. Only few cadets were selected to have tea with him and I was one of them. Lucky! He soon went in hi black ambassador car after spending few minute with us.
We also visited army training centers and were informed about the different army training centers in Leh. We had also a demonstration on all training techniques. Then we had weapon display in another center. We were given information on army weapons and many such instruments used for the war. It was good and informative for us. I was really proud to be in SNIC for the first because I got the opportunity to visit such a good camp.
We had several competitions in the camp. I won first prize in drawing competition and the topic was “Juley, yeh dil mange more!” I also participated in group discussion but the prize was cancelled due to some technical reasons. We had NIAP competition; this was mainly for exhibiting the cultural values and the heritage of the state. I got to know about the other states culture and heritage so beautifully for the first time. I like the seven sister states so much, specially their music. was always banging in their drums and was giving us energy in every way. Everybody loved Kerala because she is truly Gods own country. We got second prize in it. Then we had guard of honor competition, I was doing it for the first time. I never had weapon drill and it was quite difficult for me to do it, but I managed to do it somehow, but we didn’t get prize for that.
Now telling about the food at camp, it was good, fully north Indian style food. We were given snacks and fruits in between too. I had good friendship with many cadets. I had good company with Karnataka, J&K, Andhra Pradesh, <st1:place w:st="on">Maharashtra</st1:place>, and Tamil Nadu and so on. Still I have contact with some of those friends. Wow it was simply a superb camp, I am really lucky to be in it.
We went to Palakkad to join with other cadets of Kerala for the camp. There were 4 boys and 4 girls and one ANO (Assistant NCC Officer) for the camp, but one girl missed the train and our strength became 7. One the officers from battalion accompanied us till Palakkad, he bought me lunch from station. Vineesh had already eaten as his appetite was uncontrollable. Then at evening 5pm the train came. I was so thrilled about the journey. As told I met the cadets and was cool. Swathi, Anju were the girls and Vishnu, Alwyn, Sooraj were the other boys. Our ANO was Neetha Sashidharan, a very sweet person who is so polite and gentle. She had a daughter who was one year old but still she came for the camp. We had to spend two days and two nights to reach . We had spent little money for the food.
It was my first visit; it was really superb, the traffic in is way too better than Kerala though it was a metropolitan city. I loved at once but not more than Kerala because the temperature was killing me. Finally we reached the camp. It was very huge than I expected. I heard from Vineesh that it was the site for RDC and I was so thrilled to hear it, even though I didn’t participated in any RDC drills I was lucky to enter the barracks of the camp. The barracks were simply superb, separate barrack for all states and same way the food point too. We entered the barracks and the Karnataka team members were there to welcome us. The ANO and officers in the camp were not so soft and I didn’t like them at first site, but gradually I understood that they were helpful. Then we refreshed and had some tea. Tea was really different it was made of less milk, less tea powder, less sugar not so tasty, but the ANO of the camp told us to accept what ever is given to you and never complain about the taste. I didn’t really liked the camp food, it was always dry. As a keralite I was given food with spices and juicy but here it was opposite, I wondered how they are enjoying that food, but I didn’t complain. We had to spent two days in that camp. I was really tired and was so thrilled to go to Leh. We had to go to Leh by Aero plane and were thrilled about it. By that time I became familiar with many friends especially with the Karnataka team. We were sent to Leh by two batches, we were in second batch so we had to wait for one more day in the camp and the temperature was really intolerable.
I and Vineesh got the chance to visit the camp in Leh. There was a interview prior to it. During vacation Greeshma called me and said to come to battalion, she said there was a interview for the camp. I was not at all interested but she pushed me for that. Then I said I’ll come soon and I came to the NCC office. Many girls and boys were there for the interview and I was not sure I would get the chance but after the interview with the Commanding officer I was sure that I would get the chance and luckily I got it. Then I had to convince my father about the camp. He was convinced by the NCC officer of our college Lt Sathish. I have to give many thanks to him. After that we had medical check up since we were going such high altitudes for the first time. We both passed the medical test and went to battalion. We collected uniforms and necessary items for the camp. Vineesh encouraged me to go for Republic day camp, but when I thought about the class I am going to miss I said to myself I don’t need that camp. But Greeshma did go for the camp. We went for the camp in July. I barely entered the class during July.
We had to give sent off to our seniors, they were so sad to leave the NCC. We had a NCC parade that Saturday followed by NCC official sent off meeting. Then the cadets who excelled in that year were given awards. Sudhi, Vineesh, Nidhin and Thushara got awards for attending special camps like RDC and TSC respectively. Principal chaired that occasion and all the cadets gave us a good speech on their experience in NCC as a cadet. I gave vote of thanks. Greeshma said welcome speech. Sussky, Prajin, Surya attended a NIC camp and their experience was so good. They narrated everything in a great way.
All the junior cadets didn’t have much experience and were complaining that they need more experience to become seniors. But seniors encouraged us. They were always there for us for all advice and tips. At that day we had Biriyani for lunch and it was simply superb, we knew that it was our last lunch with seniors but no one did cry even though they had a sad face.
As a last party in NCC we went to Muzhappilangad beach that evening and enjoyed a lot from there. All the boys were in the sea swimming and dancing, but making fun with each other. All girls were in the shore laughing at the seniors, it was a superb day. I went to that beach for the first time and I can say that it is the most beautiful and clean beach I saw in my life. The blue sea and white sky, the sun was about to set. There were little crowd in the beach. Background was green and covered with bushes and pines. It was a superb beach. We had ice cream from that beach and it was arranged by NCC seniors only. We laughed, played and enjoyed a lot. I was with senior Jamana all the time. She was so live and vivid. That day simply rocked.
We had B certificate exam in NCC; this took place in S N College itself. The exam was for two days, Theory exam followed by drill exam. It was so nice. In theory exams our seniors helped a lot; they told us to carry guides for exam and said it is common to copy in NCC exam. But I didn’t have the courage to take the book. That day I forgot to take my camp certificate, I called my sister in home and she brought the certificate. We had drill exam on Sunday. We had Map setting, drill test, assembling of rifle parts and so on. We were so afraid for the exam but it went on well. All the RDC cadets got ‘A’ grade and rest got what they deserved, I got B grade in ‘B’ certificate exam.
We had our first camp during onam holidays. I wanted to spend my onam with family so I first said no to my seniors but then seniors told the importance of a camp and its enjoyment, then my plan changed I said ok to my seniors and so did Greeshma. Then we had our first camp in Koothuparamba, it was a very big Christian college, I liked the campus infrastructure. There were so many cadets in the college by the time we arrived. There were almost 700 cadets for the camp. Sussky was the camp senior and UO Deepa was the Girls senior. The cadets were now put into different companies’ namely alpha, delta, Charlie and Bravo Company, I was in Charlie Company. Sussky was the Charlie Company senior he wanted us to win. Now I will tell you the camp daily events...
Morning we have to get up at 5 am because we had physical training at 6am, at 6.30am we were allowed to go to our barracks and we had to report in food point to have breakfast and by 8am we had to report in the camp ground for parade. By 11am the drill was over and then there were theory classes and then we had lunch. We had free time in afternoon. By 4pm we have to report again in track suit (if you have one) or in civil dress for games. At 6pm we have cultural programs and that continued till 8pm. Then we had dinner. By 10pm all girls should enter their barracks and it is seniors duty to check on it. Our seniors were so efficient in everything. Then we could sleep well, but we didn’t sleep, we talked and enjoyed a lot. We made a lot of friends during this time. And so on the camp activities continued like this all 10 days.
Because of rain most of our parades in morning were cancelled, we had good parade only for 3 days. But Greeshma didn’t like it she wanted parade everyday. I decided to sing an English folk song for cultural program but that was on pending to due rain and other clumping of programs. Finally I got a chance to sing the song for one of the girl seniors. She liked it very much and at the same time Greeshma was mocking at me in behind when I was singing, the senior liked it and she said we both have to perform it in front of all again and so an action English folk song was born there. Guess what everybody in the camp just loved it a lot. It became a great hit in the camp and I was so happy, that song was included in the final day of celebration.
We celebrated the onam from camp only, it was really great. We had “sadhya” in camp. There was tug of war competition and Charlie Company failed in it. There was volleyball competition and so on. It was a great day. CO was watching everything from here only…. He liked our show. The camp was so superb for me even though rain made some problems and camp fire was cancelled because of that, we did enjoy the camp. I was a lazy person, that camp did inspire me in many ways. I got 3<sup>rd</sup> place in debate competition. Truly NCC is a stage for a lot of opportunities. I got many friends through NCC and I can say that the NCC simply rocks….
We had our very first parade in August; it was prior to our very first camp. We did not know the basic drill of NCC, so our seniors taught us basic drills like Attention, Stand at ease, Left turn, Right Turn and Marching. The word of command was given in Hindi. The motto of NCC is unity and discipline. Training was given by NCC officers and that too in Hindi, they were north Indian people. It was a good experience. We learned a lot from the drill. Before drill we had to warm up our body to do drill, we were told to run five rounds in the ground, the ground was so huge and by three rounds all girls were exhausted. But our girl senior encouraged us and said to do it with energy. We said ok and ran five rounds.
Drill started from 8am and by 10.30am it was over. Then we were taken to classroom for theory classes which were taken both by seniors and officers. When there was no class cultural programs were there and juniors were given chance to sing, speak and many other program. Some girls were shy and didn’t do anything but seniors didn’t allow it, they give punishments to such cadets and then they sang. Mithun always got punishment. I and Greeshma had no such problems, we were ready for anything, to sing, to dance and our seniors said that we both had chance to get into Republic Day Camp in NCC. RDC camp is one of the best camps in NCC, our seniors said we had to work hard for that. We were interested in it but by second year my interest in RDC was gone because we had to leave 3 months class for the camp. But Greeshma was determined in it and she went for the camp. Vineesh and Sudhi Krishnan went to the camp in the very first year only they were very lucky.
After the cultural programs lunch was there from canteen and then again cultural program in the class. After that we had to change our uniform and wear civil dress. Then we had meeting in the NCC office and then announcements will be made by the seniors if there are any and then we were allowed to go. The parade occurs every Saturday and second Saturday was holiday. Those Saturdays really rocked….
I heard that there was NCC in our college, I had no idea about NCC but I knew that we’ll get grace marks for it. Moreover I wanted to do something as extra curricular activity in our college, so I thought let me join this. None of my friends were willing for that, they were shy and want to just study alone. So I asked Greeshma to join it. I said to her “come on dear, let’s do something and don’t be just a student in this college. Let’s do something!” she said ok. That’s how I and Greeshma joined NCC. When I gave my name for it Sussky, the senior under Officer was there in the office. He asked me whether I am really interested in it. I said yes I am. Then there was enrolment of the cadets.
NCC is a stage for lot of opportunities. I was about to discover it. After enrolment uniforms were issued for us, we were given old NCC uniforms and we had to use it only. I was not ok with it, my seniors then said I could buy new pair of uniform at my own cost. I didn’t listen to it. I knew my father will not agree to it. Then there were first parade of NCC. Sathish Sir was the NCC officer of the college. He was our English teacher. He was very much dedicated to NCC. Our seniors were Sussky, Nidhin C K, Prajin, and so on. The girl seniors were Sruthi; she was the Girl Under officer. She looked so beautiful in uniform. But she was very strict to us and all. She had no compromise for anything. I was not that much company with her but in the later years we were good company.
