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A remarkable display of India’s cultural diversity and national unity took place at the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat – 1/25” National Camp in Koderma. This 12-day event, organized by the Bihar and Jharkhand NCC Directorate under the command of Brigadier S. Gopi Krishnan (SM) and Colonel Vijay Kumar (SM), featured a grand cultural program on its penultimate day. The event was officially opened with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony led by Mrs. Manoj Thakur, Head of the Project at Koderma Thermal Power Station.
More than 600 NCC cadets, representing Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, converged at the camp. Their vibrant performances served as a powerful narrative of India’s cultural richness, fostering a deep sense of national integration and showcasing the spirit of young India. Brigadier Abhijit Sharma, Deputy Director General NCC, Bihar-Jharkhand Directorate, was the chief guest and lauded the cadets’ commitment and discipline. He remarked, “The true strength of India lies in its unity across its diverse cultures, and institutions like the NCC are instrumental in nurturing this spirit.”
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests including Brigadier S. Gopi Krishnan (SM), Camp Commandant; Manoj Thakur; Sukhmoy Nayak, DGM (HR) at KTPS; Dr. Ayodhya Kumar, Principal, Government Polytechnic Koderma; and Lemanshu Kumar, City Manager, Jhumri Tilaiya Municipality. The chief guest felicitated these esteemed individuals with mementos.
Cadets took the stage by storm with captivating performances in group songs, group dances, solo dances, and solo songs. These artistic expressions beautifully illustrated the unique folk traditions and patriotic sentiments of their respective states, transforming the venue into a vibrant canvas of cultural harmony and national pride. Brigadier Abhijit Sharma recognized the outstanding performers and instructors with mementos, trophies, and medals. The camp leadership, Brigadier S. Gopi Krishnan and Colonel Vijay Kumar, presented the chief guest with a token of appreciation.
The cultural program was further enriched by a special performance from Naveen Jain Pandey, a popular singer from Jhumri Tilaiya, who presented patriotic and regional Jharkhand songs. He was also honored with a memento by Brigadier Abhijit Sharma. Colonel Vijay Kumar extended mementos to Ajay Agarwal (Director, Chlorophyll School), Dilip Singh (District PRO), Vikas Kumar Seth, and Ajit Kumar.
Lieutenant Santosh Kumar, Nodal Officer for the camp, expressed his sincere gratitude to all supporting organizations. He specifically thanked the Jhumri Tilaiya Municipality for their support in maintaining cleanliness and Koderma Thermal Power Station for arranging an educational excursion for the cadets. The efforts of the permanent instructors, officers, and the entire staff of the 45 Jharkhand Battalion were also acknowledged.
The “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat – 1/25” National Camp has undoubtedly stood as a powerful symbol of cultural synergy, youth leadership, discipline, and national unity, with the active participation of 601 cadets reinforcing the idea that the youth are the bedrock of a progressive India.
