Nitin Pai: Fulfilled his dream of participating in the Republic Day Camp and Parade at Delhi

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 19 Feb 2012: For any student in college, it is not only studies but participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities  is very important in shaping his personality and achieving experience in different fields. Many students join National Cadet Corps (NCC) as it not only improves their self esteem with dignified uniform that they wear during parades and ceremonial programmes, but also enables them to attend camps and training facilities such as firing. Every NCC cadet aims at doing best in the course of his training and secure a place in the squad that proceeds every year to Delhi to participate in the month long Republic Day (RD) Camp and Parade.  This was the dream of a young man from Moodubelle, Nitin Pai who fulfilled his dream of participating the Republic Day celebrations in January 2012.

 

 

Nitin Pai was born on August 30, 1992 as the only son of  Manjunath Pai and Manjula Pai of Nittool, Moodubelle. He had his primary education in Church Aided Higher Primary School. His highschool and junior college studies were completed in  St. Lawrence Composite PU College, Moodubelle. After completing  PUC in 2010, Nitin was keen to continue college education and joined MGM College, Udupi for BA course.

 

While in PUC, Nitin was an active NSS volunteer and  a good sportsman. He was a member of the Volleyball team in higher primary as well high school and junior college. Under his captaincy, St. Lawrence Composite PU College Volleyball team won the championship in Udupi Taluk for the first time in 2010. Nitin also secured third position in the District level Shot-put event in 2009-10.

 

Nitin  was very keen to join NCC, but as there was no NCC Unit in Belle, he had to wait till he joined the MGM College which has NCC Army Unit. Nitin says that he directly went to 21 Karnataka Battalion where he was selected without any formalities to attend ten days camp at Karkala, Bhuanendra College. He says that just considering his height he was selected by the officers to join NCC Army and to undergo the camp in the first year itself.

 

While in the  camp, Nitin faced certain initial difficulties as he had to adjust to the camp routine and environment. Gradually, he learnt many things such as drill, discipline, living in harmony with other cadets, value of time and doing things by himself. He was thrilled when he was trained to use .22 rifle for firing.

 

Nitin was the only cadet from the MGM College NCC Unit to be sent to Bangalore for selection to the 2011 Republic Day Camp and Parade in Delhi. However, he was disappointed that he was not considered due to certain factors.  However, Nitin did not give up hope and determination. Once again, while he was in the Second Year of NCC, Nitin was selected at the Group level to represent in the Republic Day Camp and  Parade and his selection was finalized at   the Directorate level at Bangalore in  December  2011. From Udupi three cadets including Nitin eventually participated in the Republic Day Camp and Parade.

 

 

 

In order to be selected for participating in the Republic Day Camp and  Parade, Nitin along with other cadets had to undergo four pre-RD Camps in which tough selection norms were adopted.  Though there were more than thousand cadets vying with each other to find a place in the RD NCC squad, after the four rigorous camps only 101 cadets were chosen to represent Karnataka NCC Directorate to participate in the Republic Day Camp and  Parade at Delhi on January 26, 2012. Starting from the end of November to the end of December, 2011  these four pre-RD selection camps were held at Vidyanagar Sports centre in Bangalore.

 

According to Nitin, throughout the four selection camps he was not sure whether he would find a place in the Karnataka NCC squad to participate in the  Republic Day Camp and Parade. However, he did his best in drill because of which he was selected, besides height being his plus point.

 

The entire contingent of 101 cadets and three NCC officers, three PI staff and one Contingent Commander proceeded to Delhi on December 28, 2011. On reaching Delhi all the contingents from different states were camped at the Army Centre under the Director General of NCC.

 

Prior to the RD Parade on January 26, 2012, there were various competitions in drill, flag area, National Integration Programme and cultural activities for Prime Minister’s Banner. This year Maharashtra contingent won the  Prime Minister’s Banner, Karnataka being in the Second position.

 

During their camping days at Delhi,  selected NCC  cadets were invited by Prime Minister, Director General of NCC and  Defense Minister for dinner. Nitin proudly said that he was one of the representatives  from Karnataka who attended such VIP dinners. The cadets were also visited historical and interesting places in Agra and Delhi.

 

After the RD Parade, Nitin participated in drill during the Prime Minister’s Rally on January 28, 2012 for which he received a PM Rally Medal.

 

Following the completion of  the Republic Day Camp and  Parade participation, Nitin along with other cadets returned from Delhi on February 1, 2012. There were receptions in Bangalore  at Karnataka NCC Directorate, Governor’s Residence and Vidhan Soudh. After completing all the formalities, Nitin returned home in Belle on February 5, 2012.

 

 

Nitin is very much excited after returning from Republic Day Camp and  Parade at  Delhi. He says that it was for the first time that he remained away from home for such a long time. But he learnt many things which will remain with him and help him in shaping his future.  It was a lifetime experience which he was fortunate to have because of NCC. He says that he was thrilled to meet the Prime Minister, Defense Minister and the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

 

Presently, Nitin is Senior Under Officer of MGM College  NCC Army Unit comprising of 50 cadets. After completing graduation, Nitin is very interested in joining the Indian Army or the police force.