The briefing

News from across Army Cadets

Cadets' incredible trip to India

Army Cadets was delighted to be invited by India’s National Cadet Corps (NCC), for the second year running, to take part in their India Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) in New Delhi.

Ten UK Army Cadets from the counties of Northumbria, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, Oxfordshire, London SE, Gwent and Powys, and Suffolk went on the amazing 15-day trip, setting off from Heathrow on 11 January.

Cdt Sgt Rebecca Scott, Cdt CSM

Uashar Badakhshan,

Cdt Sgt Kate Bilclough, Cdt RSM Thomas Dyer, Cdt SSgt Dominic Smith, Cdt CSM Oliver Wade, Cdt CSM Sasha Louwman, Cdt SSgt Rosie

Walters, Cdt Sgt Abbie Addiscot Allen and Cdt Sgt Kevin Fresneda Jara were accompanied by adult volunteers Lt Col Mike White (Northumbria ACF) and Capt Fiona Short (Greater Manchester ACF).

The packed itinerary included cultural, tourist and military visits, formal dinners, VIP receptions and parades. There was also an opportunity to meet India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane I.A.S., plus an afternoon tea with President Smt Droupadi Murmu. NCC's motto is 'unity and discipline' and it has an incredible 1.2 million cadets spread across India.

Diary excerpts

The group kept a diary in which they recorded all of the brilliant activities they were invited to take part in. Here are a few excerpts:

'We listened to a presentation about Puneet Sagar Abhiyan – a fantastic climate change initiative which the NCC cadets have driven.'

'Indian food was always going to be a feature of our visit and we were introduced to thali – a platter made up of several different dishes to create a perfectly balanced meal. It was a little spicy for most but thoroughly enjoyable.'

In return, the UK will host approximately 20 Indian cadets and adults in August 2023.