Madurai Naval NCC unit bags top spot after 22 years

It was a historic victory for the naval unit, which came after a gap of 22 long years, said VP Senthil, Lieutenant Commander, Commanding Officer on Sunday.

“The victorious team comprised of 20 senior-division boy cadets and 12 senior-wing girl cadets along with Sub Lieutenant Binu Ramesh, Associate NCC officer from Thiagarajar College, Madurai,” Senthil said.

Among the Naval NCC units of Chennai, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Thoothukudi and the Andamans, which participated in the race during the 12-day event that concluded on August 19 at Puducherry NCC Group Headquarters, Madurai bagged the top spot. The competition witnessed a participation of 294 senior division NCC cadets including boys and girls.

Further, the unit from Madurai, which is a non-coastal district, claimed the title after defeating other units which hailed from coastal districts. 

The cadets took part in competitions such as whaler boat rigging, boat pulling, ship modelling (miniature warship making), drill, semaphore - naval sign communication, shooting, seamanship practical comprising exam on bends, hitches and knots, naval service subject (written exam). Moreover, they competed for the trophies for the best cadet and health and hygiene, and also participated in cultural events. 

Recalling the hard work that the unit have put in and hence have earned dividends from, the Lieutenant Commander told DT Next that ‘DK Whaler boat’ was transported to the water body in Uthamapalayam in Theni district from Madurai every day by truck.

As the unit in Madurai did not have access to any water body in the district, the cadets had to go to the neighbouring district for training. Also, they had to borrow oars from the Thoothukudi Naval unit as they didn’t have any.

Further, he said that the cadets were given extensive training on shooting at Edayapatti firing range, located on Sivagangai road. They trained with 0.22 rifle and tested their skills from a 50-metre distance. The cadets also turned out to be the best in the ‘firing’, and ‘drill and smartness’ events.