NCC cadets as sentinels of hope for flood-hit

As various organisations and the government continue their efforts at rehabilitation in the flood-affected areas of Ajnala and Ramdass, the First Punjab Battalion of the National Cadet Corp (NCC), which conducts operations in the district, has been the support system on ground for relief to reach the needy families. A team of 40 NCC cadets, mostly college and school students, has been touring the border villages in Ajnala and Ramdass since September 3, engaged in flood response, rescue and relief operations and is now carrying out a survey and door-to-door distribution of relief material.

Colonel PDS Bal, Commanding Officer of First Punjab Battalion, NCC Amritsar, who has been overseeing ground operations in the district, said the NCC cadets have been providing ration, bed, clothes, medical and other essential services to the people in this time of trouble.

"NCC volunteer cadets are always ready to help the people of the country in difficult times, be it a war or natural disaster. It is an essential part of their training. We have had student cadets leading the ground operations, as they are trained in evacuation, providing medical aid and other support measures," he said.

NCC cadets in the district have been running relief and rehabilitation operations for the last one and a half month. Recently, a 10-day camp was organised by the First Punjab Battalion of NCC Amritsar at Baba Kumma Singh Engineering College, Satlani Sahib, with Deputy Camp Commandant Lt Col Amritpal Singh and Commandant Col PDS Bal training NCC cadets belonging to various schools and colleges in drills and ground operations.

The NCC students are helping in the distribution of beds and clothes at village Roorewal and Nangal Sohian, which was one of the worst affected areas. They engage in cleaning, salvaging, debris removal, helping in school clean-up drives, assisting in organising relief camps (kitchen, shelter, sanitation), coordination with district officials and NGOs. They are often accompanied by local school head or village volunteers.

NCC officer Sukhpal Singh Sandhu, who is also the District Guidance Counsellor, said that so far the ration, clothes, beds and other essential items were distributed with the support of various organisations by the NCC. "The cadets of First Punjab Battalion of NCC Amritsar have contributed a lot in the smooth distribution of relief items. Early on, we were helping in evacuation, supporting movement across inundated roads, but now, our cadets in teams of five to ten, are carrying out ground surveys of villages for damage assessment and relief support. We also help volunteer organisations on ground to reach the families with aid. Recently, we managed to distribute over 800 beds and relief material to people affected by floods," said Sandhu. He said that their team is now going to conduct a survey in Gaggar village in Ramdass, which saw Ravi waters wiping out everything.

While the young cadets deliver relief material door-to-door, they are given medical kits and safety gear in tackling any on-ground challenges.

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