Shreyansh Singh, a dedicated student of Computer Science and Information Technology engineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), recently had the opportunity of a lifetime by participating in the Youth Exchange Program (YEP) 2023 in the United Kingdom.
YEP is a prestigious program that allows select NCC cadets to engage in a cross-cultural exchange with cadets from friendly countries. Its primary goal is to promote awareness and appreciation of each other’s socio-economic and cultural backgrounds through NCC activities.
Shreyansh Singh embarked on his journey on August 5th, 2023, from Delhi to London Heathrow. From there, the group traveled to Gatwick and spent the night before heading to Glasgow, Scotland. Scotland welcomed them with its ever-changing weather, offering a taste of all four seasons in a single day.
One of the highlights of their visit was exploring Fort George, where they learned about the black watch 3 SCOTS regiment and the Scottish army’s history. The cadets then proceeded to the Bary Buddon training center in Dundee and later to the Drumshoreland cadet training center in Edinburgh. During this phase, they had the unique opportunity to train alongside UK cadets, including field training in patrolling and preparing ambushes. They even had the chance to handle the 5.56mm L98A2 general-purpose rifle and fired 20 blank rounds. Camp life included the exciting experience of cooking their own food using operational ration packs.
The adventure continued with a series of thrilling activities, including coasteering, mountain biking, rock climbing, laser shotgun, tag archery, and the gun run, all aimed at fostering a spirit of adventure and connection with nature.
The group’s journey then led them to London on August 14th, where they had the privilege of celebrating India’s Independence Day at the Indian embassy and interacting with Indian citizens living in London. Throughout their visit, they explored renowned sites such as Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, the Royal Military Tattoo in Scotland, and iconic landmarks in England, including London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, and Big Ben.
A delightful aspect of their adventure was the diverse cuisine they savored, ranging from traditional English meals to Mexican, Italian, Chinese, and, of course, authentic Indian food.
Shreyansh Singh expressed his gratitude for the support and cooperation of the officers and staff throughout the program. The experience allowed them to forge friendships, exchange souvenirs, and understand the UK cadet organization better, emphasizing differences in training approaches. While the Army Cadet Force in the UK focuses heavily on practical and military training, India’s NCC aims for holistic development.
One noteworthy aspect of the UK cadet organization is its emphasis on cadet involvement in accounts and management services, fostering self-reliance and active participation in the organization’s functioning. Shreyansh believes that this positive practice can be adapted and implemented in the NCC to promote the holistic development of cadets and the organization.
Shreyansh Singh’s participation in YEP 2023 reflects SRMIST’s commitment to providing its students with transformative global experiences, enabling them to broaden their horizons and become well-rounded individuals ready to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
