Around 150 IITK first year students are taking to arms at the NCC camp

Gopal Gujarwasia is not used to failing. If you are an IITian the trait comes but naturally. However, January 31, 2004 morning proved to be an exception to the success rule for Gopal. He missed the target by a whisker and came up with a poor score at the NCC practice-firing session. “I fired four shots successfully, but I just couldn’t control my breath while taking the fifth. I’ll have to do the routine all over again,” says a determined Gopal. Gopal is among the 150 first year IITians who have enrolled for NCC. These young techies enjoy juggling between trigger and laboratory apparatus, but dislike failure in either case. “I enjoy firing a riffle. But I hate if I miss,” says Gopal. But why would emerging techies take to the NCC? Prateek Singhal, Ist year computer science, who is undergoing arms training, says “Right now I had decided to join NCC for fun and adventure. However, I will definitely like to contribute in the field of research and development by making super computers for computer guided anti aircraft missiles.” Given a chance J Madhu Sudan of Tamil Nadu, who is pursuing bachelor’s degree in metallurgy, would like to do research work on producing light weight weapons, aircraft and tanks. Prashant Yadav, of chemical engineering, says, “ I would like to provide information related to chemical weapons and precautionary measures to avert any untoward incident.” IITian Krishna Pal of Ajmer, who is pursuing aerospace engineering, says, “If I join the Indian Army, I will draw attention of the authorities to upgradation in technology and scientific knowledge of men-in-green as in the future war, technology and chemical or biological weapons will play significant role in winning wars. America and European countries keep on updating their technology. Aircrafts can be made lighter in weight to avoid their detection by enemy radar.”

Well, how about mathematicians helping out the Indian Amry ? says Saurabh Kumar, MSc, “ You cannot undermine the importance of mathematics. It helps in production of super computers for locating movements of enemy in rough terrain via satellite, controlling stealth fighter planes, (aircraft with high velocity and wing shaped body, it does not return the waves in same direction and cannot be traced by enemy’s radar) and scientific computation for coding and decoding of security system of any country.” But NCC for these ITTians is only an extra curricular activity. They are not eligible for the much sought ‘B’ and ‘C’ certificates. Due to busy study hours they hardly get any time to attend the regular NCC camps which is a prerequisite for obtaining the certificates, however all of them want to contribute towards strengthening the Indian Army technically. Bharat Agarwal, Ist year student of metallurgy, feels that the NCC camps can be conducted during summer vacations in the month of May and June. “The NCC training helps in inculcating patriotism, discipline, mental toughness in adverse situations along with respect for diverse cultures and religions,” he adds.

“These engineers in the making are determined and disciplined boys full of innovative ideas and feeling of patriotism. They are eager to make India dazzle in the field of technology,” says Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel DK Routray, as he looks proudly at his army of riffle wielding engineers.