Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated the newly relocated 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC at Cherangre in Tura. The inauguration programme began with the reception of the Chief Minister, followed by a Guard of Honour, signing of the visitors’ book, ribbon-cutting, unveiling of the commemorative plaque, and a tree-plantation ceremony. The programme also featured a prayer dance by NCC cadets, experience-sharing sessions by former cadets, felicitation of cadets, and cultural presentations. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sangma highlighted the NCC’s important role in instilling discipline, leadership, patriotism, and character among the youth. Describing the inauguration as a “momentous occasion,” he said, witnessing the relocation and establishment of the battalion in Tura was “almost like a dream come true.”
Sharing personal anecdotes from his childhood, the Chief Minister recalled how he had once aspired to join the armed forces and later dreamt of becoming a police officer because of the discipline, dedication, and respect associated with men and women in uniform. “As a young boy, the armed forces and police services had a tremendous impact on me because of the discipline, dedication, and aura that surrounded men and women in uniform,” he said. “There was a different feeling whenever you were around them a sense of commitment, respect, and purpose that deeply inspired me.” The Chief Minister said these values continue to remain relevant today and underlined the importance of the NCC in shaping responsible citizens and future leaders. “The NCC instils discipline, patriotism, hard work, and values that shape young people into responsible citizens,” he said.
Stressing the importance of youth-focused governance, the Chief Minister said the true measure of development lies not in the amount of money spent or infrastructure created, but in the number of lives positively transformed. “The success of a government should not be measured by how many crores are spent or how many buildings are constructed. It should be measured by how many lives are transformed because of those investments,” he stated. He further added, “Development should not be judged only by the number of stadiums we build or medals we win. It should be judged by how those stadiums improve the quality, skills, confidence, and values of our children and youth.”
Referring to the experience shared by an NCC cadet during the programme, he noted how the NCC had helped many young people discover their talents and gain exposure that may otherwise not have been possible. The Chief Minister assured the NCC leadership of the Government’s continued support in strengthening youth-focused initiatives and infrastructure. “This is not an expenditure it is an investment. The returns from investing in our youth will be far greater than the money spent,” he said, while assuring support for the development of the remaining infrastructure, including the boundary wall and other facilities. The 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC traces its origins to the raising of the 15 Assam Artillery Battery NCC on June 3, 1961. The unit was later upgraded to the 41 Meghalaya Battalion NCC in October 2020. The battalion is presently responsible for NCC training activities across five districts of Garo Hills.
