Strive hard to help realize India’s vision of developed nation by 2047: Rajnath Singh to NCC cadets

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Jan 20 asked National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets to strive hard to help realize India’s vision of becoming a developed country by 2047.

Describing them as the country’s assets, Singh hailed their contribution towards nation-building through “leadership, discipline, ambition and patriotism” — qualities imbibed during training.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a pledge to make India a developed country by 2047. He has been an NCC cadet himself. So, if an ex-NCC cadet has seen a dream, it becomes the biggest responsibility of all other cadets to fulfill it. Viksit Bharat does not mean the development of a piece of land, it means the progress of 140 crore Indians who live in unison despite social and cultural diversity,” Singh said, during a visit to the NCC Republic Day camp.

Singh said India’s achievements were the result of everyone’s hard work, especially the youth. Youth power is one of the themes that will be highlighted at the upcoming Republic Day parade during a cultural performance by around 5,000 folk and tribal artists.

“Whenever I meet NCC cadets, I don’t just see a cadet in them. I see the reflection of India, which has many bodies but one soul, many branches but one root, and many rays but one light. These cadets hail from different regions, speak different languages, and follow different customs and traditions, but the one common thing is unity. Their energy and enthusiasm are proof that India’s future is bright,” he said.

He said that several countries became independent around the same time as India but only those nations with the values of discipline, integrity, and national unity were developing today.

“While those who did not are in chaos,” he said without naming Pakistan.

In his address, Singh explained the meaning of leadership to the cadets, citing the sacrifice made by Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

“Major Unnikrishnan’s words to his team ‘Don’t come up, I will handle them’ were not only a testament to his winning attitude and charitable nature but also his ability to lead from the front. Such extraordinary moments make an ordinary person a leader.” he added.

Singh asked the cadets to never stop learning and keep upgrading their skills. He also reviewed a guard of honor presented by the cadets.