At J-K NCC camp, common refrain among female cadets: 'Real

As they made it to the NCC camp here, leaving behind stones-scattered streets and youths raising 'azadi' slogans, the girl cadets echo one message- "shun stone-pelting, sloganeering and enjoy the real azadi in India".
These female NCC cadets from Kashmir are among the 500, of which 147 are girls, undergoing training at a National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp at Sainik school, Nagrota, in the outskirts of Jammu city.
They are participating in the 10-day camp to select a 40 -member Jammu and Kashmir Directorate Thal Sainik Team, which will take part in a national-level camp at New Delhi soon.
Soft-spoken Aneesa of first JK Battalion Srinagar, and a student of government women's degree college in Anantnag, said shewas the only girl representing her college at the camp.

"Most of the girls wanted to come. But were disallowed by theirparents citing the prevailing situation in south Kashmir," she said.
Addressing those advocating 'azadi' and taking the path of violent protests, the cadets asked them to "taste the freedom enjoyed by them outside Kashmir".

"I want to tell them that the real azadi (freedom) is here. If you want azadi, it is here," she said and asked the youth to shun stone-pelting and sloganeering.
"Please don't go towards the bad things like protests, stone-pelting or getting involved in sloganeering for azadi. Azadi is nothing. If you want azadi it is here," Aneesa said. She said she was initially worried when she joined the camp. "Before I came to this camp, I was very much worried and asking what will happen in the camp. What type of activities will be there?" she said.

"But the camp commander lifted my morale. The camp commandant is very nice person and motivatedme. I am enjoying a lot here. I want to suggest all girls to come forward if you want to live a life of freedom which is here," she said.
Another cadet Syed Rabia, also of first JK battalion, Srinagar, said she alongwith two other girls, had come from Army Goodwill Higher Secondary School Uri in Baramulla district of north Kashmir.
"We are three girls here from Army Goodwill Higher Secondary School Uri. We are very lucky to be part of the NCC because we do not only learn discipline and unity but it helps us in our overall development," she said.

She said she would like to suggest the girls from across the state especially in the Valley, which has seen violent protest recently over several issues, to be part of the NCC for overall development.
Lt Col Ravindra Singh, Commanding Officer, Second Jammu and Kashmir Independent Company NCC Bhaderwah, said this is the first phase of the 'Thal Sainik' camp and is run by his unit.
"Second and third phase will also be organised. In the third phase, the final JK Directorate Thal Sainik team will be selected which will take part in national competition in Delhi later," he said.

About the activities at the camp, he said the day starts with physical training, yoga and drill followed by training in obstacles, firing, field and battle craft and health and hygiene.
In the evening, games and crossing of obstacles are performed, he said.
"In this camp, we have children from all across the state including Bhaderwah, Jammu, Akhnoor, Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and 100 children from the Srinagar group," he said.
Sonum Angu, a cadet from Ladkah, said she belongs to first JK pro company and is accompanied by 12 other cadets.
"I am feeling proud to be part of this camp. We get a lot of experience here, and our confidence level goes to to new height. All girls are requested to join this camp," she said.

Rajesh Kumar Vohra, 2nd officer, Second JK NCC battalion, said a total of 500 cadets, including 147 girls, are participating in the camp.
Vohra, posted in Army Public School Udhampur, said he salutes the valour of children who joined the camp fromthe turmoil-hit Kashmir.
"They have shown thecourage, especially our daughters from Pulwama, Baramulla,Anantnag and Ladakh and their message is simple and straightthat there is whole world outside Kashmir," he said.