Forty girl cadets from the Uttar Pradesh Directorate of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) completed an eight-day forward area tour in the remote Kumaon hills, gaining firsthand exposure to military life, modern combat equipment, and the realities of living in India’s high-altitude border regions.
Organized jointly by Central Command and the UP NCC Directorate, the initiative aimed to cultivate leadership, discipline, and national spirit among the young women, while also encouraging greater female participation in the Indian Armed Forces. The cadets visited several forward bases under the Panchshul Brigade, a strategically vital formation responsible for defending sections of the Line of Actual Control, especially in the wake of heightened tensions with China post-Galwan.
During their tour, the cadets engaged directly with soldiers stationed in rugged terrain and extreme weather, learning about daily routines, logistical challenges, and high-altitude combat preparedness. They also got hands-on exposure to state-of-the-art Indian Army weaponry and surveillance systems, showcasing the technological edge employed in modern military operations.
A memorable part of the visit included a stop at Gunji village, one of the key sites under the government’s Vibrant Villages Programme. The cadets interacted with locals and observed the impact of efforts to transform isolated border communities into vibrant tourist destinations through infrastructure development, homestay promotion, and cultural preservation. The initiative, launched in 2023 and completed in April 2024, seeks to revitalize border villages in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh by curbing migration and generating employment.
This immersive experience not only deepened the cadets’ understanding of defense and development dynamics but also promoted broader national goals of women’s empowerment and youth engagement. With women comprising only 3.6% of armed forces personnel as of 2023, such initiatives serve as critical platforms to bridge gender gaps. They align with ongoing reforms, including the 2021 opening of the NDA to women and the induction of 153 female agniveers into the Indian Air Force in March 2024.
The tour was conducted under the supervision of Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C of Surya Command, who had recently reviewed the Panchshul Brigade’s operational preparedness on May 22. His involvement reflects the Army’s commitment to mentoring future leaders and reinforcing civil-military ties in frontier areas.
Through a blend of military exposure and social engagement, the tour has left a lasting impression on the young cadets, inspiring many to consider careers in the armed forces and take part in nation-building, in keeping with the objectives of the NCC and the national vision of Nari Shakti.
