With fewer cadets, compulsory masks, social distancing at the camp: NCC cadets prep for Republic Day amid COVID

It is a dream for every NCC cadet to be a part of the Republic Day Camp (RDC). While for some, it is the first step to make their way into the armed forces, for others, it is a way to be disciplined and live a life like a fauji.

As we meet the NCC contingent for Republic Day Parade at Rajpath during their practice, the cadets tell us what brings them to the parade, the lessons they have learnt, and how the camp and experience are different this year due to the pandemic.

This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, cadets have not only gone through three COVID tests before joining the camp, but were also in quarantine for 14 days before starting their rehearsals for RDC

I joined NCC because the uniform excites me. When I go to college wearing my uniform, it separates me from other students as I am not only a student, but also a cadet. As a cadet, it feels prestigious to be a part of the largest youth organisation. From maintaining social distancing to wearing masks and not mingling with other people, all COVID protocols are being taken care of here at the camp.

I want to join the armed forces after my studies, so NCC is like a platform to head towards that. I’ve learnt discipline at RDC. And I feel this is the first time that we are maintaining social distancing among cadets, too, at the parade.

I joined NCC in college with no specific goal but when I joined, I got to know more about the organisation. RDC is important for me as cadets from different states come, and it shows us what national integration is. From compulsory masks to sanitisation and social distancing, all protocols are being followed.

I am getting a chance to represent my college as well as my state. It is difficult to march in a mast, but to maintain COVID protocols, we have to wear it.

My reason for joining NCC and participating in the camp was that it makes you a resource for your country in times of emergency. In times of COVID as well, NCC volunteers have helped distribute food packages. Our mask is part of our uniform now. And do gaj ki doori humein camp mein bhi maintain karni hai.

I joined NCC because I knew it’ll give me an insight into a fauji’s life. RDC was my dream camp. Not everyone gets the chance to march at Rajpath, and I feel proud that I could make it here. Apart from other COVID protocols, we are also not allowed to mingle with people from other contingents (for safety reasons).

I was wanted to join NCC because it’ll give me a base to join the armed forces. We came to Delhi on December 20, and we are following social distancing and COVID protocols everywhere, be it the camp or our practice area.

RDC has always been my dream because as a kid, I had promised my father I will be a part of the Rajpath parade one day. Due to COVID, my parents asked me to be careful and responsible, but they never stopped me from joining the camp.

Discipline was the reason I joined NCC. And RDC is like my dream, I’d seen my seniors participating in it and Rajpath was the one place that I really wanted to be at. Before finally joining the RDC, we had to undergo three COVID tests in pre-RDC camps, thermal screenings were done daily during our quarantine period and we maintained a safe distance from everyone
during that time.

‘Maintaining a distance of 1.4 metres while marching’

I am living my dream, being at the RDC. I am also a silver medallist in all-India cadet competition, Army wing. Nobody from my family is in the armed forces, but I always wanted to do this. At the camp. after submitting our negative COVID certificates, we had to be quarantined for 14 days. Our rehearsals started after that. During the parade, we earlier kept a one-hand distance, but now we will have to maintain a distance of 1.4 metres from everyone – be it a cadet or any officer.