GCC World

Talks on the students' experiences on campus often delve on their academic achievements. It is a fact no one disputes. However, there is much more to campus life as the accounts of some of the GCC NCC cadets stand witness. Their sojourn in the city had loads of subtle benefits they will live to treasure in no equal measure. As cadets, they found the space to put to test their skills, a whole world of opportunities to interact with people from different walks of life, and more significantly, they got a feel of the rigors of military training.

“It is unbelievable,” says CSM Shashi Shankar Singh from distant Uttar Pradesh (UP). “The three years I spent at GCC opened my eyes to a new way of life.”
From childhood, the excitement presented by the life of those in the frontline caught his fancy. “The sacrifice they make and the challenges they contend with appeals to me,” he explains. “This was the break I needed and now I have a head start in my push for a place in the forces,” adds the Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) student.

For Navneet Dwivedi, incidentally from UP, his goals were not any different. The disciplined life of Commissioned Officers, 'where everything' follows a strict routine was a craving that knew no bounds. “Joining NCC was the only way to experience what the officers go through,” justifies the Biotechnology student. Three years have gone by and the elated youngster from distant UP can only revel in his achievements. “I have attended several camps,” he says. “I guess my plans are shaping out well.”

Like other cadets, Navneet draws the inspiration from his parents and the campus that gave him 'so much'. “The goal of serving the country in uniform or otherwise is a firm quest,” he insists.
As Sgt. Bijan Kumar Dalal of B.Sc. (Biotechnology) discovered, there is a fascination for the life of commissioned officers and the sacrifices they make for the country. Having made it to the city from Bhubhaneswar, Orissa, Sgt. Bijan's aspires to lead a simple life and be able to offer his services for the country. “I am hopeful that I will realize my dream,” says the young cadet who is passionate about rock climbing and pursues parasailing and horse riding with equal devotion.
According to CSM Sunil S. Kharwar, a student of B.Sc (Genetics), the quest for a disciplined life of those in the armed forces was the spur for enlisting with NCC. “The experience in many ways gives you the ideal platform to push for a career in uniform,” mulls the youngster. “NCC is the only avenue for civilians to get a feel of life in uniform.”

Sad that their stint is coming to an end, CSM Sunil Kharwar is looking at further studies in Genetics. “I am keen to pursue the emerging field of Dermatogolyphic. This is a new discipline that has emerged from the west and looks at finger prints to understand the cause of genetic diseases. “It's the encouragement from the lecturers that has brought us this far,” he reflects. “We have got the base that we can now build upon.”