NCC group commander A.R. Sinha looks on as cadet Gautam Kumar (right) points out the monograms and medals he received in the World Air-wing cadet exchange programme held in Singapore. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, July 9: Their experiences were different but for both cadet senior under-officer Abhay Kumar and cadet warrant officer Gautam Kumar of the number 2 Jharkhand Air Squadron of the National Cadet Corps, life would not be the same again.

While Abhay has just returned from a mountaineering expedition, Gautam represented the nation in the World Air-wing NCC cadet exchange programme held at Singapore.

The two cadets presented slide shows of their experiences before their friends in the squadron today, saying that the feeling could not be described in words.

Abhay, a student of Doranda College, finished his basic mountaineering course from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi and was selected to conquer Bhagirathi II, a peak in the Himalayan range. “Scaling the peak, situated at a height of 21,490 ft, was a big challenge, which I’ll never forget,” said an excited Abhay.

“I was one of the four people selected for the mission. The climate was severe and I was selected because of my good physical condition. The slope at 85 degrees was very difficult to negotiate and we moved with great caution. The feeling on top of the peak was simply great,” he added.

Gautam, a final year Physics student of St Xavier’s College, had a different tale to narrate. He began with his sojourn and repeatedly talked about the beauty of Singapore. “We had joyrides on different aeroplanes and helicopters during our 15-day stay in the camp,” Gautam said.

NCC cadets from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore participated in the exchange programme. They also got the opportunity to showcase their respective traditions and cultures in the camp. “We got a lot of time to interact with the foreign cadets and learnt a lot of new things about their cultures,” Gautam added.

Squadron officer Maj Samit Saha said the boys have made their unit proud. “We worked hard with our cadets to get them selected from the national arena. The hard work of the cadets has paid off,” Saha added.