California Cadet Corps cadets visit India during youth exchange program

VIDEO: Three commandants and six cadets from Cal Guard's California Cadet Corps youth leadership development program participated in an international youth exchange, Aug. 8-18, in New Delhi, India. The program featured 126 cadets from 14 countries and aimed at creating cross-cultural bonds among young people, promote understanding of international cultures, tolerance and develop an appreciation for universal ideals of brotherhood and social cohesion. (California Cadet Corps video by 1st Lt. Zak Lara)

Story, photos and video by 1st Lt. Zak Lara
California Cadet Corps Public Affairs

Aug. 31, 2022

NEW DELHI – Three commandants and six cadets from the California Cadet Corps participated in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Youth Exchange Program Aug. 8-18, in New Delhi, India.

The program brought together 126 cadets from 14 countries and aimed to create cross-cultural bonds.

Participating countries included the United States, United Kingdom, Mozambique, Nigeria, Seychelles, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Fiji, Brazil, Argentina, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius and Maldives.

According to NCC leadership, the goal of the Youth Exchange Program was to promote a cross-cultural exchange of ideas among the participating youth, promote understanding of international cultures, tolerance and develop an appreciation for universal ideals of brotherhood and social cohesion.

California Cadet Corps cadets and scouts from the Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia gather for a group selfie, Aug. 10, in New Delhi, India. Cadets from over 14 countries participated in the Youth Exchange Program hosted by the Indian National Cadet Corps.

California Cadet Corps cadets and scouts from the Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia gather for a group selfie, Aug. 10, in New Delhi, India. Cadets from over 14 countries participated in the Youth Exchange Program hosted by the Indian National Cadet Corps.

For California Cadet Corps Cadet Capt. Miguel Carbajal, the trip did just that.

“Meeting cadets around the world was really great," Carbajal said. "You got to meet a lot of new people. People with different backgrounds and different stories to tell. Completely different worlds that we live in compared to us, and it's great getting to know them.”

The NCC hosted multiple tours in and around India, including visits to museums, military bases, government buildings, and the Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world. Cadets also had the opportunity to attend a formal dinner with India’s defense minister, Rajnath Singh, as well as attend the 75-year independence celebration at New Delhi’s 17th century Mughal-era Red Fort featuring guest speaker Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

California Cadet Corps commandants, including Lt. Col. Ken Parris, left, and Belinda Contreras, right, speak with India National Cadet Corps Director General, Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh, Aug. 9, in New Delhi, India during the country's 2022 Youth Exchange Program. (California Cadet Corps photo by 1st Zak Lara)

California Cadet Corps commandants, including Lt. Col. Ken Parris, left, and Belinda Contreras, right, speak with India National Cadet Corps Director General, Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh, Aug. 9, in New Delhi, India during the country's 2022 Youth Exchange Program. (California Cadet Corps photo by 1st Zak Lara)

The director general of the NCC, Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh, who is also an alumnus of the National Cadet Corps, spoke about the importance of this annual event.

“The world is one family, and the guest is like a god,” said Singh. “That is the essence of this Youth Exchange Program which is being conducted presently, which has [representatives] of 14 countries representing all continents, and internally we have organized a camp of NCC cadets representing all districts. So over the next 10 days, these youth are going to know about each other, each other's countries, about the culture, about their values, and they will be better citizens for the world.”

Cadet Capt. Dieu Truong speaks about the California Cadet Corps with journalists from India's largest news station, Aug. 10, during an exchange event in New Delhi, India. The five other participating California Cadet Corps cadets stand in formation behind her.

Cadet Capt. Dieu Truong speaks about the California Cadet Corps with journalists from India's largest news station, Aug. 10, during an exchange event in New Delhi, India. The five other participating California Cadet Corps cadets stand in formation behind her.

The cadets enjoyed the opportunity to meet with their counterparts from around the world.

“This experience has been a pleasure,” said Cadet Capt. Dieu Truong, California Cadet Corps. “We have made a lot of friends from around the world, and seeing sites of India like the Taj Mahal is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it's been a great journey.”