M S Nazki
Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering……………!
I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be………..Unknown NCC Cadet!
Enthusiasm can help you find new doors, but it takes passion to open them. If you have a strong purpose in life, you don’t have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there………….
One of the main reasons that we lose our enthusiasm in life is because we become ungrateful..we let what was once a miracle become common to us. We get so accustomed to his goodness it becomes a routine……………
Protect your enthusiasm from the negativity and fear of others. Never decide to do nothing just because you can only do little. Do what you can. You would be surprised at what “little” acts have done for our world……….For NCC Cadets!
The extract which I got goes something like this:
Lt Gen Virendra Vats, YSM, SM, VSM, DG NCC, visited NCC Guwahati Group on 11 May 26 to review training, outreach and performance. Accompanied by Maj Gen Anurag Vij, ADG NCC NER, the DG interacted with officers and cadets, appreciated their dedication and emphasized futuristic training in cyber & drones while reinforcing NCC values of unity, discipline and selfless service towards nation building. Naya Bharat ka Naya NCC with enhanced Self belief and empowerment
Naya Bharat ka Naya NCC is rapidly evolving into a bolder, smarter organization, growing to 20 lakh cadets with ~40% girl representation, focusing on self belief, digital skills, and nation building.
It empowers youth through advanced drone/cyber training, rural expansion, and a proactive, technologically proficient approach to service.
- Key Transformation Initiatives Cyber Security Focus: A new partnership with NIELIT provides cadets with training in cyber awareness, digital hygiene, and practical cyber defense, preparing them for a digital India.
- Technological Empowerment: Training now includes drone operations and digital simulators to create smarter, future ready cadets.
- Enhanced Female Participation: Women make up approximately 40% of the force, highlighting a major push for gender empowerment and equal opportunity.
- Expansion & Outreach: With a footprint in over 700 of 780 districts, the NCC is expanding, especially in rural areas, to build a “Naya Bharat” through discipline and, as highlighted by DG NCC Lt Gen Virendra Vats, selfless service.
- Vision of Naya NCC Self Belief and Leadership: Cultivating a confident, patriotic, and responsible youth force.
- Unity and Discipline: Maintaining the core values while adapting to the needs of the 21st century.
- Social Service: Active participation in nationwide initiatives like Exercise NCC Yogdan for community support.Under the leadership of Director General Lt Gen Virendra Vats, the NCC focuses on building a secure and technologically sound future for its cadets.
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces with its headquarters in New Delhi, India. It is open to school and college students on a voluntary basis as a TriServices Organization, comprising the Army, the Navy and Air Force. Cadets are given basic military training in small arms and drill. Officers and cadets have no liability for active military service once they complete their course.
History
The NCC in India was formed in 1948. It can be traced back to the ‘University Corps’, which was created under the Indian Defence Act 1917, with the objective to make up for a shortage of personnel in the Army.
In 1920, when the Indian Territorial Act was passed, the ‘University Corps’ was replaced by the University Training Corps (UTC).
The aim was to raise the status of the UTC and make it more attractive to the youth.
UTC Officers and cadets wear Army uniforms. It was a significant step towards the ‘Indianisation’ of the Indian armed forces.
It was renamed the UOTC so the National Cadet Corps can be considered a successor to the University Officers Training Corps (UOTC) which was established by the Government of India in 1942.
During World War II, the UOTC never came up to the expectations set by the British. This led to the idea that some better schemes should be formed, which could train more young men in a better way, even during peace.
The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru presided over the function of raising the first NCC Unit at Delhi on the fourth Sunday of November in 1948.
This day is traditionally celebrated as the NCC Day. A committee headed by H. N. Kunzru recommended a cadet organization to be established in schools and universities at a national level. The soldier youth foundation Act was accepted by the Governor General, and on the 15th of July 1950 the soldier youth foundation came into existence.
Senior Wing (SW) Cadets of the NCC during Republic Day Preparations
In 1949, the Girls Division was formed in order to provide equal opportunities to school and collegegoing girls. The NCC was given an interservice image in 1950 when the Air Wing was added, followed by the Naval Wing in 1952. In the same year, the NCC curriculum was extended to include community development/social service activities as a part of the NCC syllabus at the behest of Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who took a keen interest in the growth of the NCC.
Following the 1962 SinoIndian War, to meet the requirement of the Nation, NCC training was made compulsory in 1963. This was discontinued in 1968, when the Corps was again made voluntary.
During IndoPakistani war of 1965 & BangladeshPakistani war of 1971, NCC cadets were the second line of defense. They organized camps to assist ordnance factories, supplying arms and ammunition to the front and also were used as patrol parties to capture enemy paratroopers.
The NCC cadets also worked hand in hand with the Civil defense authorities and actively took part in rescue works and traffic control.
After the 1965 and 1971 wars, the NCC syllabus was revised. Rather than just being a second line of defense, the revised NCC syllabus laid greater stress on developing qualities of leadership and officerlike qualities.
The military training which the NCC cadets received was reduced and greater importance was given to social service and youth management.
NCC cadets across the country are fully geared up to take part in Civil Defence Mock Drill to be conducted across 244 districts of the country on May 7th, 2025.
Motto and aim:
The discussion for the motto of NCC was started in 11th central advisory meeting (CAC) held on 11 August 1978. At that time there were many mottos in mind like “Duty and wisdom”; “Duty, Unity and Discipline”; “Duty and Unity”; “Unity and Discipline”. Later, at the 12th CAC meeting on 12 October 1980 they selected and declared “Unity and discipline” as the motto for the NCC. In living up to its motto, the NCC strives to be and is one of the greatest cohesive forces of the nation, bringing together the youth hailing from different parts of the country and molding them into united and disciplined citizens of the nation.
It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living. I’m more interested in arousing enthusiasm in kids than in teaching the facts. The facts may change, but that enthusiasm for exploring the world will remain with them the rest of their lives………….!
Saw a little girl touch a big bug and shout, “I conquered my fear! YES!” and calmly walk away. I was inspired. Enthusiasm is a supernatural serenity…………Lt Gen Virendra Vats !
About the Lt General:
Lieutenant General Virendra Vats, YSM, SM, VSM is a serving general officer of the Indian Army. He currently serves as the Director General, National Cadet Corps. He earlier served as the Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
The general officer attended the National Defence Academy, as part of the 73rd course. He then was part of the 83rd course of the Indian Military Academy.
He was commissioned into the 19th battalion, The Kumaon Regiment (19 Kumaon) in December 1988.
Early in his career, he served as an instructor at the Infantry School. He subsequently attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. After completing the course, he was appointed Brigade major of a mountain brigade.
In the rank of Colonel, the general officer served as the Assistant Military Secretary in the MS branch.
He then commanded his battalion, 19 Kumaon, in Operation Rhino in the North East. The battalion was awarded a unit citation by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor on Army Day 2008. For his command of 19 Kumaon, he was awarded the Sena Medal (distinguished) on 26 January 2008.
After his command tenure, he moved to Army headquarters as the Director, Military Training. He subsequently attended the College of Defence Management in Secunderabad.
After the course, he was appointed Defence attaché (DA) to the CommanderinChief, Andaman and Nicobar Command. He then served as the Director in the Military Operations directorate at Army HQ. For his tenure in the MO directorate, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal as part of the Republic Day honours in 2014.
Promoted to the rank of Brigadier, he commanded the 82 Mountain Brigade, deployed along the Line of actual control in eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The brigade also was part of Operation Rhino.
As part of the United Nations, he served as a military observer in the Stabilization mission in the Congo. He subsequently commanded the North Kivu brigade, in the same mission.
After his return to India, Vats was selected to attend the National Defence College in New Delhi, as part of the 57th course. He was subsequently appointed Brigadier General Staff (Concepts) at the headquarters of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC). He then moved to Army headquarters as the Brigadier Military Secretary (A) his second tenure in the MS branch.
He was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed General officer commanding 19 Infantry Division (Dagger Division) in Baramulla on the line of control in the Kashmir Valley.
For his tenure as GOC Dagger Division, he was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal on 26 January 2022.
In late 2021, he moved to the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters as the Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Training and Doctrine) (ACIDS Trg & Doc).
On 1 September 2022, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College.
After a long tenure of three years, Vats relinquished charge of DSSC to Lieutenant General Manish Erry on 18 September 2025. On 30 September 2025, he assumed charge as the 35th Director General of the National Cadet Corps. He took over from Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh.
Vats was awarded the Sena Medal in 2008, the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014, and the Yudh Seva Medal in 2022. He has also been awarded the Chief of the Army Staff’s Commendation card and the CommanderinChief, Andaman and Nicobar Command Commendation Card.
Futuristic cyber and drone warfare:
Futuristic cyber and drone warfare represents a fundamental shift toward automated, datadriven, and networked conflict, where artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous machines, and digital attacks define victory more than sheer physical force.
As of 2026, this landscape is characterized by “neoprime” tech startups and traditional defense giants racing to develop unmanned systems that can operate in contested, jamheavy environments.
Core Themes of Future Warfare (20262030) Autonomous Swarms and AI:
Drones are moving from human operated to AI guided systems capable of identifying, tracking, and engaging targets autonomously. Swarms—large groups of drones collaborating in real time—are designed to overwhelm conventional defenses.
- The “Drone First” Battleground: Drones are no longer just for surveillance; they are primary weapons, accounting for 96% of battlefield casualties in some areas of the Ukraine conflict by early 2026.
- Integrating Cyber and Physical Attacks: Modern warfare merges electronic warfare (jamming, spoofing) with physical drones, creating a “grey zone” where communication networks are destroyed alongside physical assets.
- Unjammable Technologies: Due to high intensity electronic warfare (jamming) disrupting GPS and radio signals, future drones are adopting fiber optic, spoolfed cables for communication, making them immune to signal jamming.
- Human Machine Teaming: Human soldiers will work alongside unmanned systems, such as AI driven “loyal wing man” aircraft acting as scouts or decoys, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them entirely, though this raises ethical concerns regarding AI driven decision making.
- Key Technological Trends AI Enabled Targeting: Machine learning allows drones to recognize shapes of tanks or personnel, reducing reliance on remote human piloting, especially in GNSS denied (GPS denied) environments.
- Low Cost Attrition: The future is defined by inexpensive, mas produced drones (like FPVs) that can neutralize expensive traditional assets, making the economics of war a central issue.
- Advanced Counter Drone Systems: Laser based systems, such as the U.S. HEL (High Energy Laser) or the UK’s Dragon Fire, are becoming crucial for protecting against drone swarms, with deployment increasing around 2027.
- Maritime and Land Robots: Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Undersea Vehicles (UUVs) are as critical as aerial drones, allowing for long term intelligence gathering and stealth missions.
- Operational Shift: “Transforming in Contact “The U.S. Army and other modern militaries are shifting to “transforming in contact,” which means embedding drone technology directly into front line squads to allow for real time testing, immediate feedback, and rapid innovation rather than waiting for years of research.
- Ethical and Strategic Challenges Accountability: The delegation of life or death decisions to autonomous AI raises severe ethical questions, particularly if AI makes an error, though proponents claim AI reduces mistakes due to fatigue.
- Global Arms Race: The ability to rapidly produce thousands of AI enabled systems is becoming a primary national defense goal for many nations, including India and the U.S., driving massive investments into the AI drone ecosystem.
- So ultimately to the final lines: Enthusiasm is the electricity of life. How do you get it? You act enthusiastic until you make it a habit. Enthusiasm spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment. Love springs from the inside. It is the immortal surge of passion, excitement, energy, power, strength, prosperity, recognition, respect, desire, determination, enthusiasm, confidence, courage, and vitality that nourishes, extends and protects. It possesses an external objective – life…………!
