PASIGHAT : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday inaugurated the NCC Academy Complex at Pasighat, describing it as an important investment in the character-building, leadership development and nation-building potential of the State’s youth.
Addressing the inaugural function, Khandu said the Academy would provide young cadets with an institutional platform to develop discipline, leadership, physical fitness, patriotism and a spirit of service, while encouraging them to pursue careers in the Armed Forces.
“The youth are the greatest strength of Arunachal Pradesh. Our responsibility is not merely to provide them education and employment opportunities, but also to build their character and instill in them the values of discipline, responsibility and service,” he said.
Highlighting initiatives to encourage more Arunachali youth to join the Armed Forces as officers, the Chief Minister referred to the recently launched Chief Minister’s Frontier Sainik School Scholarship Scheme. Under the scheme, financial assistance will be provided to Arunachali students studying in eight notified Sainik Schools and the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun.
He also informed that an Indian Army-led officer-level coaching-cum-mentorship programme for Arunachal students would begin soon. The programme, he said, would provide focused guidance to students aspiring to join Sainik and Military Schools and eventually become officers in the Armed Forces.
“I see the NCC Academy, the Frontier Sainik School Scholarship Scheme and the Indian Army-led mentorship programme as complementary initiatives. Together creating a stronger ecosystem for discipline, leadership, military education and national service,” Khandu said.
The Chief Minister urged NCC cadets to look beyond conventional career choices and aspire for leadership positions in the Armed Forces. Recalling the role of the NCC in shaping generations of young Indians, he said Arunachal Pradesh, as a strategically important frontier State, stood to benefit immensely from a stronger NCC ecosystem.
He expressed confidence that the Pasighat Academy would emerge as a premier training centre for NCC cadets from Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Northeast, offering modern training facilities and opportunities for interaction with trained instructors and Armed Forces personnel.
Khandu also spoke about the rapidly changing technological landscape and its impact on young people, particularly the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media. While acknowledging the transformative potential of AI in education, employment and communication, he cautioned youth against its irresponsible use.
“Technology is a powerful tool. Artificial Intelligence can open up tremendous opportunities for our youth, but we must also understand its limitations and use it responsibly,” he said.
He urged NCC cadets to use social media positively, remain alert to misinformation and cyber risks, and develop the ability to distinguish reliable information from misleading content. He said the values of discipline, critical thinking and responsible citizenship imparted through NCC training were especially relevant in an age of constant digital exposure.
Emphasising that technology should serve as a means to enhance human potential rather than become a distraction, Khandu urged cadets to make the best use of the facilities at the Academy and carry its values into their schools, colleges, communities and professional lives.
Highlighting the importance of youth participation in nation-building and India’s vision of Viksit Bharat, he said, “Viksit Bharat cannot be achieved without a Viksit Arunachal, and a Viksit Arunachal cannot be built without empowered, disciplined and responsible youth.”
He said the State Government would continue to support initiatives in education, sports, skill development, entrepreneurship and leadership, while encouraging youth to explore careers in the Armed Forces and other national services.
The Chief Minister congratulated the NCC authorities, State Government departments and agencies involved in establishing the Academy and expressed confidence that it would develop into a centre of excellence for youth development. He also called upon parents, educational institutions and society to encourage more young people to join the NCC and benefit from its training, discipline and values.
