Antony visits R-Day NCC Camp

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) Defence Minister AK Antony today presented gallantry awards to NCC Cadets who had displayed acts of bravery at an impressive investiture ceremony at the annual NCC Republic Day Camp here.

Cadet Puneet Tomar was awarded the 'Raksha Mantri's Padak' for saving more than 50 people in a devastating fire at Victoria Park, Meerut in April last year.

Cadets Manoj Rana, Rohan Vijay Takalkar and Momula Shilpa received the Raksha Mantri's Commendation.

These awards were instituted in 1989 to honour acts of bravery displayed by NCC Cadets.

Earlier, the Defence Minister was presented a Guard of Honour by the smartly turned out cadets. In his speech, Minister Antony praised the NCC cadets for their role in rescue and relief operations during natural calamities. He also applauded the NCC for ''its reservoir of disciplined and patriotic young men and women''.

During his visit to the NCC camp, the Defence Minister also interacted with foreign cadets who have come here from Australia, UK, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Vietnam under the Youth Exchange Programme.

Minister Antony also visited the Flag Area, and the Aero&Ship Modelling Hall.

UNI