Governor Visits Mandi NCC Battalion, Unveils Sarvadharma Sthal

Governor Kavinder Gupta, accompanied by First Lady Bindu Gupta, paid an official visit to the 2 Himachal Pradesh NCC Battalion in Mandi, where he formally inaugurated the newly established Sarvadharma Sthal and presented a Commendation Award to the unit for its outstanding achievements. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor highlighted that the National Cadet Corps (NCC), operating under the Ministry of Defence, plays a vital role in molding disciplined, aware, and responsible citizens by instilling values of character, leadership, and selfless service from an early age.

Reflecting on his personal experience as a former NCC cadet who trained in Palampur, Governor Gupta emphasized that the motto ‘Unity and Discipline’ is a comprehensive philosophy of life rather than a simple slogan. He noted that unity fosters respect for diversity while discipline ensures unwavering commitment to duty. Drawing parallels with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Agniveer initiative, he praised how the NCC and Home Guards build national readiness during both peacetime and crisis, adding that the strong selection rate of local cadets into the Armed Forces reflects the effectiveness of these youth programs.

Celebrating the battalion’s recognition as the best NCC unit under the Directorate last year, the Governor expressed confidence that the new Sarvadharma Sthal will further strengthen communal harmony among cadets. He also commended the extraordinary courage and physical endurance displayed by Himachal’s youth, citing major milestones such as 28 female cadets completing the 22-day high-altitude Parang La trek, 70 cadets conquering a 350-km boating expedition on Gobind Sagar Lake, and Cadet Kritika Sharma of Nahan scaling Mount Everest. NCC Group Commander Brigadier Harjit Singh briefed the Governor on ongoing activities, confirming that nearly 35,000 cadets across schools and colleges under the Shimla Group are currently undergoing comprehensive Army, Navy, and Air Force training.