On Saturday 24 Mar 2018, Congress President Rahul Gandhi was interacting with the students at Maharani's Arts College for Women in Mysuru, Karnataka. On being asked about the facilities or benefits that he would give to NCC 'C' certificate holders, he was totally non-plussed. His response was even more sad, "I don't know the details of NCC training & 'that type of stuff', so I won't be able to answer that question". He further went on to state that as PM he as a "young Indian person" (PM aspirant/ 48 years young, almost) would ...... These remarks were a little childish & irresponsible, especially when coming from someone who is aspiring to be the Prime Minister of India. A look at the video of the event would give one a glimpse of the actual conversation.
The Congress ecosystem immediately went in to overdrive to defend the remarks. A tweet by one senior national journalist of the India Today group.
Tweet by Rajdeep Sardesai on 26 Mar 2018
Not a popular thing to say but I think we must appreciate @RahulGandhi for saying he didn't know much about NCC training. More politicians should admit things they don't know about instead of being 'know it all' types. Nothing wrong in saying 'I don't know' IMHO!
Yes Rajdeep, it is not important that a PM aspirant should know every thing under the sun, but there is a certain amount of political preparation that goes in to aspiring for the top political job of a country of nearly 1.3 billion people, which is hoping to reap a demographic dividend of actually 'young' working hands & minds.
This becomes even more important because Rahul Gandhi's only claim to the top job is the family name, 'Gandhi'. His own great grand father took very keen interest in the growth of the NCC. As a 'hereditary choice' for the throne, sorry post, he should have at least read up about his family legacy, which he keeps quoting to demand votes for his party.
Also, since his party had slammed PM Modi for asking for the contact details of all the 13,00,000 NCC cadets a few days earlier, it would normally be considered prudent for any PM aspirant to find out more details about the NCC, since his own party was criticising the sitting PM on the subject.
Why would the PM of India be interested in interacting with 13 Lakh NCC cadets? It is because he knows that the young of India are the future of India. NCC is the largest voluntary uniformed youth organisation in the world and currently has 13 lakh cadets on its rolls. In Delhi, nearly 40,000 school and college students are a part of NCC.
Any person who has been to school/ college in India, or witnessed any republic day parade on TV, or live at Rajpath, or read the newspapers during the build up to the 26th January parade every year would be aware of the NCC.
NCC was formed just after independence, with the passage of the National Cadet Corps Act of 1948, and was subsequently raised on 15 July 1948. The NCC was given an inter service image, with all three arms of the defence forces being represented, and both sexes being inducted in to it. It was introduced in schools and colleges.
Many mottos, which included "Duty and Discipline"; "Duty, Unity and Discipline"; "Duty and Unity"; "Unity and Discipline" were thought about from its inception. The curriculum was extended to include community development/social service activities as a part of the NCC syllabus.
The Aims of the NCC were laid out in 1988. NCC aims at developing discipline, character, brotherhood, the spirit of adventure and ideals of selfless service amongst young citizens. Not only these, it also aims to enlighten leadership qualities among the youth who will serve the Nation regardless of which career they choose. It also motivates the young to choose a career in armed forces. Isn't this the type of organisation that any PM/ PM aspirant of India should get to know, knowing the demography. What has Rahul Gandhi been up to in public life?
Rahul Gandhi was elected to parliament for the first time in 2004, and has been an MP ever since. What political preparation has he been doing during the last 14 years leaves many Indians really wondering. He hardly spoke or discussed any issue in parliament, and all his images in the media have been of either sleeping during the sessions, or showing his 'entitlement'. He has been holding the posts of General Secretary/ Vice President of the Congress party and now the President.
Nothing wrong in saying, "I don't know!", but then there is everything wrong in aspiring for the top job just on the basis of one's surname, being 'humble', & being a 'nice person'. A PM is expected to be better informed on issues that effect this country, or it will be a repeat of UPA 1 & 2, where-in the political power rested with Sonia Gandhi & her coterie of trusted people who form the National Advisory Council, which wielded all the authority in policy formation, but had no responsibility towards the people of India.
Are we ready for this arrangement once again?
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