Did you ever spend the night under a canvas? it is a different experience. We have so many items in our room but in a camping environment, you required very few essential things for the day-to-day. It is a unique opportunity if you are in National Cadet Corps (NCC) may be Army, Navy, or Air Wing. Apart from weekly training, you will get a chance to join Annual Training Camp, maybe for ten days.Subash Kantha Roy was a student of a school in central Kolkata, his NCC troop number was 13, Army Wing Junior Division. He had regular weekly training at the Brigade Parade Ground, it was difficult during the rainy times, there was no shed to cover from the rain
The training area is about 3 km from his residence, the uniform was issued to him from NCC which he had regular washing and pressing by him only. He had to cover the distance by walking. His unit was located inside Fort William and it is still there. He got an opportunity to see the visitor book of the unit during the last year, it is surprising to see all the entries from 1960 till 2020 are there.
The NCC Club House, another attraction is there to visit regularly.
He got a chance to attain his first NCC Camp at Adra, Purulia in West Bengal. He was then a student of class VII standard. They went to Adra by train from Howrah Junction, Their Authorise NCC Officer also joined with them the train left late at night and reached early next morning
Adra is mainly a Railway Colony, a camping area is there near to the station where the cadets had reached with their luggage by a route march.
The tents were pitched by the cadets about 10 to 12 cadets were sharing in a tent which was termed as 180 lbs, it has 3 standing and 1 ridge poles are there to pitch it.
We had to dig paths for rainwater to pass, and snake trenches all around the tents area. The depth of the snake trench has a depth of 4 ft and a width of 2 and 1/2 inches. Each tent had a snake bite kit in case of snakebite immediate first aid arrangement is provided. The cadets were sleeping on the ground using a groundsheet and blankets were used.
Recreation activities like indoor games and information were arranged in these bigger tents.
Rousing call The first rousing call is to get up from the bed, get the belonging in a systematic manner which is called line dressing, regular inspection and marks are allotted for the final competition
There are different tunes of the bugle for joining the parade, dismissal, lunch, dinner, etc.
Personal time for preparation such as toilet and brushing the tooth
Bed tea may be at 5.30 am
PT 6 am.
Breakfast 7 am to 7.30 am Bread, Boiled egg, Banana and tea
Fall in 8 am
Drill
Weapon training .22 bore rifle
Map reading
Tactics
Break 12.30 pm.
Community bathing, lunch, and rest
Endurance test: Route march to Jaichandi Hill
Games 5 pm
Competition on PT, drill, weapon training, and map reading
Recreation and campfire
Bed tea
Breakfast: Bread, Banana, Egg, and Tea
Evening tea with snack
Lunch and Dinner: Rice and Roti, Dal, Vegetables, Meat/Egg (as per the menu, not all the days), Papad
Barakhana ( Special Food) is for the last day
Cookhouse, in those days the coal and kerosine were the main fuel source for cooking. Cadets are engaged to help cook for the cooking and serving. The campers bring their plate and mug for their own food.
Daily Menu of each day
Ration scale is there
Service at the kitchen
Serving the campers
Sanitation & latrine
Waterpoint is secured for any contamination and wastage of water.
Security
Fire safety
Fire drill
Health and hygiene
Special assignment Commanding Officer's orderly, he is detailed for each day, it is a unique opportunity to serve the commanding officer at his Office, maybe in tentage arrangement.
Quater Guard duty
It is manned 7x24 hours, Cadets turn out should be best with smart saluting to the visiting officials. Any Official visiting the camp should first visit the Quater Guard, Guard Commander call for sentries to line up and offer a Salute to the visiting official.
Line sentry during day and night password is issued for each night and it is the system to check the identity of the individual.
Firing Range
Firing Officer: He or She is responsible for conduct of firing, Range standing order to be followed. Safety is the paramount importance.
Firing positions laying, sitting kneeling, and standing
Butt group
Target at 25 yds distance from the firing point. Record each firer scoring and then repair the target for next use.
Ammunition distribution with record
Empty case collection
Cleaning of weapons, cleansing materials
Sentries to be briefed regarding signaling system by whistling
Roll call during the evening after the game, the counting of each campier is done, the report is given to who was conducting the parade.
Fire fighting
The fire point is maintained with buckets of sand and water, a fire beater and fire hook, portable fire extinguishers The use of this equipment is briefed and the same is practiced may be at an odd time of the day or night. Each camper has to rush to the accident point
Route march to Jaicahandi Hill
Route to Jaichandi Hill from Adra Rly Station
It is about 12 km for both ways, I was not allowed to take part, due to my constant interest I was allowed to hike but not allowed to go on the top of the hill. This was my first view to watch
The washing and traveling allowances for attending the parade each day. It was paid after several months.
In 1964 there was proficiency test A Part I & II now it is only part A.
We took part Republic day parade on Red Road Kolkata our Junior division had a separate contingent.
It is a different experience from daily school classes, you can make friendship with other schools. Taltala High School had a good rapport with Ballygyung Government High School.
The details of past Commanding Officer of the Battalion
Major B Kedar AEC, 27/07/1962 to 23/01/1963
Major rabi Ghosh Arty 31/05/1963 to 31/12/1964
