Bhubaneswar, June 25: Director general (DG) of National Cadet Crops (NCC), Lt. General P.S. Bhalla today said the NCC would focus on attracting youths from Maoists affected areas.

“We have planned to attract around 60 per cent youths from these areas. We will try to inculcate a sense of patriotism among them,” said Bhalla.

Lt. General Bhalla today visited the state’s only air squadron located near the Biju Patnaik Airport and the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

Bhalla said the NCC directorate would open 60 units across the county and out of it five units would be opened in Orissa.

“The units would come up in the Maoists infested districts of Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi and Nabaragpur. The strength of NCC cadets would be increased in a phased manner.”

Now, the NCC has 13 lakh cadets.

During his interaction with the cadets at the air squadron, Lt. General Bhalla said: “The present pattern of the NCC will undergo a massive change. Keeping the need of the time, the NCC will also change its curriculum.”

“It will mainly focus on improving the leadership quality. A website would be opened mainly for ex-cadets. They can send their inputs on the web-site to the directorate,” Lt. Bhalla further added.

Lt. General Bhalla also interacted with air wings cadets of the units and was happy with the performance of the cadets, especially in flying training.

“The DG is satisfied to know that maximum cadets of air squadron have been motivated to take up a career in armed forces and aviation related fields,” said wing commander Bikash Kanungo.

Later, Bhalla addressed the cadets from all wings, associated NCC officers, armed forces personnel deputed to NCC.

Deputy director general for Orissa, commodore Lalit Kumar Agarwall was also present on the occasion.