In a first, India will be inviting youth delegations of 25 countries representing six continents to participate in next year’s Republic Day Parade as part of a special initiative to commemorate India’s 75 years of Independence.
National Cadets Corps (NCC) will be inviting the youth from 25 countries. The youth will be in India from January 15 till January 29, 2022, as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’, commemorating 75 years of India’s Independence, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Out of these, youth delegations would be invited for the first time from 15 countries – USA, Canada, UK, France, Japan, Oman, UAE, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria and Seychelles.
These 15 countries will be in addition to the existing 10 foreign countries – Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Kyrgyz Republic, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Vietnam – with whom NCC already has an ongoing Youth Exchange Program.
All together, approximately 300 cadets of National Cadet Corps or equivalent youth organisations from these 25 countries would be invited to participate in the celebrations. As part of the visit, ten youth, along with their supervisors, of each of the 25 countries, will attend important events of Republic Day celebrations.
NCC will organise a selection process to select the youth from foreign countries who will participate in the NCC Republic Day camp.
The selection process will be organised in these countries in association with Ministry of External Affairs, Defence Attaches in Indian Embassies in these countries as well as the youth organisation of that country. Partner youth organisations have also been identified for the purpose.
The selection competition will adjudge candidates on their knowledge about India, its achievements in last 75 years, its culture and its people.
The initial work for selecting the youth from participating countries has begun. All the concerned countries have been requested to provide wide publicity to the quiz competition and ensure that maximum youth are given a chance to participate in the program.