Hiten Shukla
Ahmedabad Mayor Smt Bijal Patel was presented 1000 homemade masks by volunteer cadets of 1 Gujarat Girls NCC Battalion for the needy under Exercise NCC Yogdan.The NCC Directorate Gujarat has been continuing to deploy volunteer cadets at various towns for last the 18 days in support of Civil Administration towards its fight against COVID-19. Presently, a total of 578 cadets, 61 ANOs and 79 Permanent Instructors have deployed at about 26 towns covering 20 districts in Gujarat. All the five Group HQs under the Gujarat Directorate located at Ahmedabad, Rajkot, VV Nagar, Vadodara and Jamnagar have been involved to deploy cadets from the units under them. More than 22 units have been involved in deployment process. The teams have been employed for traffic management, queue management, food distribution and in educating the locals on COVID -19 precautions.
In addition, the cadets who could not be deployed for various reasons are actively involved on social media and circulating large number of educational videos and messages including usage of Arogya Setu app and stitching homemade masks for the benefit of the people and other cadets. 1000 masks have been handed over to Mr RG Gohil, Distt Collector, Anand by the cadets. Cadets are also distributing homemade masks personally at various places.
The volunteer cadets, before being employed on the ground in a COVID Warrior role are being adequately empowered with suitable basic training/ orientation conducted by the NCC supervisors as well as the representatives of the police stations of various districts. The cadets are also imparted training on importance of all COVID precautions, dos’ and don’ts, handling and usage of various protective equipment, Arogya Setu app decontamination process and maintaining social distancing during deployment.
It has been ensured that the volunteer cadets are adequately protected with the protective clothing and equipment while deployed. They are being employed as a cohesive group of 3 to 20 cadets, under the supervision of ANO and /or uniformed staff. The Coordination Cell at the Directorate remains in continuous touch with the Nodal officers and receives regular inputs on the deployment and other activities.
The efforts have been appreciated by the Civil administration. The commitment displayed by the cadets, ANOs and PI staffs and all officers of Gujarat Directorate has been commendable. The morale and motivation level of the personnel are very high.
