Arundhuti Basu. Picture by Bhubaneswarananda Halder

“The Republic Day Camp (RDC) in Delhi is what every NCC cadet aspires to qualify for,” says Arundhuti Basu. The 20-year-old BCom second-year student of St Xavier’s College succeeded in doing so in 2011, as the second Best Cadet of the senior girls’ wing representing the NCC Directorate of West Bengal and Sikkim.

“The road to Delhi is really tough,” she said, sitting in her home in Calcutta’s Salt Lake. “We had to qualify through six pre-Republic Day camps. Drill, firing, theory, group discussions and personal interviews — we were trained and tested in everything.” Finally, Arundhuti was one of the eight in the Best Cadet category to make the cut.

When Arundhuti joined the NCC in college, she already had four years of experience as a cadet under her belt from her school days. “But I had my doubts about whether to take a shot at the RDC as attendance requirements at St. Xavier’s are strict. After all, the process takes five months. But when I boarded the Purva Express on December 29, 2010, along with 100 others, my thoughts were focused on making my directorate proud and qualifying for the NCC’s Youth Exchange Programme, the selection for which happens during the camp,” she said.

Accompanying her were not only the other Best Cadets but also cadets specialising in drill displays and cultural programmes.

“Our camp started on January 1. The number of cadets attending was a staggering 2,000 or so. Getting up at the crack of dawn in the Delhi chill did not matter as all of us were doing it together,” she recalled.

Inter-directorate competitions took up the first 10 days. “The competition was keen. Selections were being done for two key events — the parade on Rajpath on Republic Day and the Prime Minister’s Rally on January 28. One person cannot take part in both. Physique matters for the first. As the shortest girl from my directorate, I knew my chances for Rajpath were slim.”

But a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, Arundhuti made it to the dance group to perform in front of Manmohan Singh at the Prime Minister’s rally. “They showed us that day on Doordarshan,” she smiled.

But there’s more that makes RDC the ultimate NCC experience. “Once the contests got over, we had to train long and hard for the events we were chosen for as well as put up cultural programmes for visiting dignitaries. The three chiefs of the armed forces, chief minister Sheila Dixit, defence minister A.K. Anthony, the vice-president — everyone dropped by on different days.”

One day, a hand-picked group was sent to perform in front of President Pratibha Patil. “I might not have gone to Rajpath, but I got to meet the President alright,” she smiled.

What has been her biggest take-away from the month-long experience? “Exposure. Also the competition level was so high that success at the camp takes one’s confidence to another level. The training we received was also fantastic,” the company sergeant major said.

The icing on the RDC cake was her selection for the Youth Exchange Programme. Arundhuti now waits for a call-up to set off for Singapore in combat uniform.