In a vibrant celebration of youth excellence and leadership, the Eastern Command of the Indian Army hosted the NCC Best Cadets Award Ceremony 2025 at the Albert Ekka Auditorium, Vijay Durg, Kolkata. The event, held under the empowering theme of #ShashaktYuva, recognized outstanding cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) units across West Bengal, Sikkim, and the North Eastern Region.
Presided over by Lieutenant General RC Tiwari, Army Commander of the Eastern Command, the ceremony honored cadets who have demonstrated exemplary dedication, discipline, and leadership. In his keynote address, Lt Gen Tiwari lauded the NCC’s vital role in nation-building and youth development, highlighting its impact on nurturing “selfless leadership, strong values, and a #NationFirst mindset.”
The coveted Best Cadet Awards 2025 were presented to Senior Wing (SW) Air Cadet Jyoti Halder and Senior Division (SD) Army Cadet Rupam Baidya, both from the West Bengal & Sikkim Directorate, in recognition of their exceptional performance across training, academics, and service.
Alongside individual recognitions, rolling trophies were awarded to top-performing NCC units, celebrating their collective achievements. The ceremony featured a formal parade inspection, certificate distribution, and an interactive session where cadets engaged directly with senior Army officers, strengthening the bonds of mentorship and camaraderie.
With cadets proudly donning their ceremonial uniforms, the event reflected the diversity, unity, and spirit of service that define the NCC. A special emphasis was placed on women empowerment through the #NaariShakti initiative, as several female cadets were celebrated for their excellence and leadership potential.
The NCC Directorate of West Bengal & Sikkim, headquartered in New Alipore, Kolkata, currently supervises 54 units across 267 colleges and 841 schools, boasting an active enrollment of over 1,01,278 cadets. The ceremony highlighted the Directorate’s critical role in shaping confident and disciplined citizens committed to national service.
Set in the historic Albert Ekka Auditorium, named after the Param Vir Chakra awardee, the ceremony concluded with a collective pledge to continue fostering youth leadership, discipline, and patriotic values. The Indian Army reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to building a strong, capable, and united future through platforms like the NCC.
