EX-NCC ACHEIVER AWARDS-2009 PRESENTED

Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Pratapsingh Rane has highlighted the need for discipline among the students and mentioned that the National Cadet Corps (NCC) teaches unity and discipline, which helps a student rise up to a level higher than his competitors.
Shri Rane was speaking at the "The Navhind Times Ex-NCC Achiever Cadet Awards" ceremony organized by the Ex-NCC Cadets Association (Goa) on the occasion of its 8th anniversary at the Surendrababu Timblo Hall of the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industries here on July 4, 2009.
Speaking further, Shri Rane, who himself was a NCC cadet complimented the Ex-NCC cadets for doing a wonderful job in the state and advised them to work towards motivating young boys and girls into NCC which he said is the need of the hour.
The Speaker said that the proposal of a force of vigilant citizens is a good idea which would serve as the eyes and ears of the police. However it should be systematically planned and there should be no grounds for misuse of the same.
Shri Rane complimented recipients of The Navhind Times Ex-NCC Achiever Awards. He expressed his happiness at the initiative for instituting such awards by the Ex-NCC Cadets Association with the help of the Navhind group and complimented the office bearers of the Ex-NCC Cadets Association-Goa.
The awards and commendation certificates were presented by Speaker Shri Pratapsingh Rane to Chief Minister Shri Digambar Kamat (Politics); Dr. Shubir Sansguiri (Medical/Dental), Adv. Shrikant Nayak (Legal/law), Shri Suresh K. Naik Gaonkar (Nutirtion), Smt. Jyoti Madhukar Dhond (Journalist/Activist) and Shri Umesh Gaonkar (Police). The award of Shri Umesh Gaonkar was received by Dy. S. P. Gajanan Prabhudessai.
While Replying to the felicitations Chief Minister Shri Digambar Kamat said that NCC is the best organization that helps and shape the students into a matured and confident citizen and therefore the parents should encourage their children to take NCC. He said, there are several girls who have achieved laurels in the NCC at the national level by representing at the RDC. However there are few boys who take interest in NCC and adventure activities. He remembered his days as a NCC cadet and how he used go for parades on a bicycle.
He urged the NCC cadets Association to further motivate the youths to join the army and take up careers in armed forces and civil services.
Executive Director of Dhempo Industries pvt. Ltd., Smt. Pallavi Dhempo said that she was happy to be associated with these awards and promised to render her support. NCC she said has has branches from a typical military training to the fields of sports and adventure, thus widening the horizons for the youth.
One of the receipent Dr. Shubir Sansguiri also expressed his feelings on the occasion.
President of Ex-NCC cadets Associaiton Shri John Aguiar in his welcome address highlighted the activities of the association. He urged the Chief Minister to take up the matter relating to the facilities for the NCC cadets on the lines of Karnataka State. He also felt that the NCC battalions in the state should be upgraded with facilities and gadgets such as computers so that their work is faster and effective. Shri Aguiar also toyed with an idea of launching “The Hawks – a citizens force of vigilant citizens who will look around for suspicious activities in and around and report to the police. Also they will be trained in first and aid and emergency rescue methods to help the citizens in emergency. The Hawks he said would work under Ex-NCC cadets Association banner.
Project Manager Shri Pradip Sawant explained the project and introduced the Chief Guest. Secretary Shri Vijay Saxena proposed a vote of thanks. Ms. Debora Menezes and Ms. Prachi
Sawant compered the function.
Prominent among those present at the occasion included Major Venugopal Nair, Secretary, Department of Sainik Welfare, Dy. S.P. Shri Mahesh Gaonkar, Dr. Edward D’Lima, Dr. Pramod Yadav, Shri Pralhad Mayekar, RDC cadets Ms. Mevis Henriques and Ms. Warik.