The Jharkhand unit of National Cadet Corps (NCC) is keen on launching a naval unit for marine training, group commander Brigadier Manish Tripathi announced on Sunday while addressing the concluding ceremony of Constitution Day celebrations in Ranchi on Sunday.

Speaking at the gathering at Audrey House in the presence of chief minister Hemant Soren, who was the chief guest, Tripathi said, “We are currently running seven NCC units including one fully dedicated to female cadets. We have units of land and air training and are working to soon start a naval unit too.”

Tripathi said all they now needed was access to “a water body and some land” to commence the unit at the earliest. “Other required infrastructure and manpower is being readied by us. NCC headquarters have already given a go-ahead to our plans,” he added during his address at the function held to commemorate Constitution Day, also known as National Law Day, which is celebrated on November 26 every year to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India.

Chief minister Hemant Soren goes through an exhibition put up by cadets on the NCC’s activities in Ranchi on Sunday. Telegraph picture

There are five NCC units in Ranchi as of now. They are 3 Jharkhand Battalion, 19 Jharkhand Battalion, 3 Jharkhand Girls Battalion, 3 Jharkhand CT Coy and 2 Jharkhand Air Squadron. This apart, there are girls battalions in Dumka, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Palamau, Gumla and East Singbhum.

Tripathi said NCC cadets have always answered the call for help from the state government or district administrations. “During the Covid-19 lockdown, our young cadets worked day and night to assist district administrations to create awareness, enforce social distancing norms.

“During the recently concluded Chhath festival, our cadets swung into action in barely five-hour notice to man ghats, which was commendable as we instill in youths a sense of responsibility, discipline, and dedication,” he said.

Tripathi said the NCC was the only force across the globe that had been formed solely to channelise youths to become leaders of tomorrow.

Chief minister Hemant Soren poses with NCC officials and cadets in Ranchi on Sunday. Telegraph picture

Chief minister Hemant Soren hailed the contributions of NCC in Jharkhand and assured all possible assistance from the state government for expansion of the force. He also asked the NCC to consider setting up its regional headquarters in Ranchi.

“I am told that the NCC regional headquarters is currently in Patna. I request you to consider setting up a regional headquarter in Ranchi (Jharkhand) too so that NCC can intensify its activities by engaging more youths of the state and motivate them to choose the right path. As far as NCC’s request for setting up of the naval unit is concerned, I welcome the move… we have all the required facilities to suit their requirements,” he said.

Tripathi said during the three-day Constitution Day celebrations that began on November 26, NCC cadets held various programmes at their camps across the state to create awareness about the Constitution among the people.

In Ranchi, NCC cadets also held a 10-minute play to enumerate the significance of the Constitution. They also put up an exhibition to highlight NCC activities.