2 NCC cadets from MCM College bring laurels to city

Two girl cadets from Mehr Chand Mahajan (MCM) DAV College for Women, Sector 36, here have brought laurels to the city by bagging national and international acclaim through the prestigious National Cadet Corps (NCC) Army Wing.

In a landmark achievement, a Senior Under Officer (SUO), Rabya, has become the first cadet from her college’s Army Wing and the only cadet from the 1 Chandigarh Girls Battalion under the PHHP&C Directorate to be selected for the NCC Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) since 2011.

Representing India as part of a seven-member delegation, SUO Rabya embarked on a 10-day cultural diplomacy mission to Mauritius, participating in the island nation’s National Day celebrations.

Her itinerary included high-level engagements with Deven Nagalingum, Mauritius’ Minister of Youth and Sports, and Vimarsh Aryan, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Mauritius.

The delegation’s visit to historic sites such as the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Ganga Talao and Île Aux Cerfs underscores the YEP’s mission of promoting cross-cultural dialogue and youth engagement among 25 participating nations.

“Rabya’s achievement is not just personal, it symbolises the power of Indian youth, especially young women, to serve as cultural ambassadors on the world stage,” said the college spokesperson, Dr Manjot Kaur Josan.

While SUO Rabya made waves abroad, another SUO Manya Bahl stood tall at home, bringing pride to the nation during the Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2025 held at Cariappa Parade Ground, New Delhi. Honoured with the Director General’s Medallion, one of the highest awards conferred upon NCC cadets, SUO Manya’s excellence in the cultural event category highlights the powerful blend of discipline and creativity that defines the new face of NCC.

College’s glorious past

With a history dating back to 1968, MCM DAV College’s NCC unit is the largest in Chandigarh, boasting of 160 cadets across Army and Naval wings. In recent years, the institution has witnessed a string of outstanding achievements. In 2022, SUO Prerna and Under Officer Srishti Rana participated in the Republic Day parade; in 2024, cadets Rabya and Khushi represented the PHHP&C Directorate in the 75th Republic Day celebrations.

The college has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI), Mohali, allowing cadets to pursue higher education alongside structured defence training, a model of integrated excellence.

Daughters marching ahead: College prez

“As India strides confidently into the future, these daughters of the nation are not merely marching on ceremonial grounds, they are shaping the national narrative, lifting the Tricolour high with unwavering resolve. They have proven that when opportunity meets determination, young Indian women soar beyond borders,"

said Padma Shri Dr Punam Suri, President, DAV College Managing Committee.

Chandigarh