Guwahati: The Indian Navy has reopened its training facility at Manasbal Lake in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir after 33 years. The base was shut down following an increase in terrorism in the former state.
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Jammu and Kashmir had access to great facilities for naval training at Manasbal Lake in the central Kashmir district.
However, the facility was abandoned in 1989 and the training ground was moved to Mansar Lake in Jammu as a result of the deteriorating security situation, according to officials.
According to them, the naval training base in Kashmir has been reopened after 33 years due to an improvement in the security situation.
On the lakefront, the Manasbal Development Authority has given a sufficient camping area, enough infrastructure, and two naval training boats that have been transported from Mansar, according to officials.
According to Brigadier K. S. Kalsi, group commander of the NCC Group Srinagar, it is a historic occasion and a “red-letter day” for the NCC in the valley.
After a 33-year hiatus, Brigadier Kalsi stated, “The naval wing’s NCC training operations are restarting in this lovely site of Manasbal Lake. 100 NCC cadets, including girls from different institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, are participating in the camp.”
He added that the NCC is a key institution for creating the nation and that it trains young people to instil discipline and develop into responsible adults.
Kalsi continued, “We also prepare them to join the military forces.”
The NCC had begun operations in the Kashmir valley in 1965, but the naval base at Manasbal was shut down in 1989 for security reasons, according to the Brigadier.
We can now begin training and revive this area, he declared.
A variety of skills, including boat hauling, sailing, signalling, and ship modelling, will be taught to the cadets.
Brigadier Kalsi continued, “It was a demotivating factor. We are confident and optimistic that the cadets of the Kashmir valley would greatly benefit from this lovely site once Manasbal is open.
According to him, the picturesque training facility would inspire the local kids to join the NCC.