more-in A batch of 40 senior division cadets attached to the NCC Group Headquarters, Puducherry, on Tuesday completed the first leg of ocean sailing expedition from Puducherry to Thopputhurai. Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy received themat the Thengaithittu fishing harbour on Tuesday. These cadets, drawn from TBML College, Poraiyur, and St. Joseph’s College, Cuddalore, started their expedition from Puducherry on August 3. There were five cadets each in two 27-foot non-motorised sailing boats and they took turns to cover a distance of about 456 km. Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy recalled the days when he was an NCC cadet in school. He acknowledged the valuable contribution of the NCC and said that the training helped in shaping the physical and mental personality of the cadets. He also commended the work that the NCC had done in the times of natural calamities like tsunami in Puducherry. Valuable experience Commodore Vijesh K Garg, Deputy Director General, NCC Directorate (Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andaman) said that ocean sailing required a steely resolve, physical fitness and mental strength to face the fury of nature with accurate planning, meticulous training and precise execution. This experience would come in handy for the cadets to face many other equally difficult and demanding challenges in life. Mr. Garg said that NCC cadets played an important role as messengers for social awareness and in also making available their services during the times of natural calamities like floods and earthquakes. The ocean sailing expedition forms an important part of the All India Competition held amongst the Naval NCC units for the coveted Most Enterprising Naval Unit (MENU) Trophy, which will be awarded by the Prime Minister during the Republic Day Parade, the officials said. Captain Raghunathan, NCC group headquarters, Puducherry, Lieutenant Commander M. Ramesh, Commanding Officer, Naval Unit, NCC Group Headquarters Puducherry were present.

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