NCC joins fight against AIDS

Kochi, Apr 21 (UNI) The National Cadet Corps (NCC) will sign an MoU with the United Nations to assist the third phase of the UN-aided National AIDS Control Programme (NACP-III) in India, its Director General M C Bhandari said today.

Lt Gen Bhandari, who arrived here after participating in the National Integration Camp in Lakshadweep, told reporters that the NCC will be sanctioned Rs 84 lakh over two years to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and train personnel, like teachers, in time to join the launch of NACP-III.

The focus of the NCC will be low priority areas where there is currently low prevalence or where cases are under-reported due to various inhibitions, he said, adding that the cadets have already begun the exercise since November last year.

Since the spread of the deadly virus is very high among drug users, the NCC is also readying to sign an agreement with the UN drugs and crime department to resolve the problem.

The cadets, being mostly in the 13-21 age bracket, can reach out better to the youth and others such vulnerable to the disease, he added.

He said among the long-term visions of the NCC is to increase the participation of girls, from 18 per cent currently to 30 in the next five years and 50 per cent in the next ten.

There are also plans to set up academies at all NCC directorates for training, especially in personality development, to equip cadets to perform well in selections to the armed forces as well as other public and private sectors.

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