The PMO has also asked for a special list of mobile numbers of college students among NCC cadets.

New Delhi: The personal mobile numbers and e-mail IDs of more than 15 lakh students of the National Cadets Corps (NCC) are being collected for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to directly interact with the cadets.

Instructions have been sent to all units of the NCC to collate data with the contact details of cadets, especially the mobile numbers of second- and third-year undergraduates, letters sent out by the NCC headquarters reveal.

NCC director-general Lt. Gen. B.S. Sahrawat told ThePrint that the exercise was being undertaken as the PM planned to address all cadets by video conference soon. The compilation of data was part of the effort to find the best possible method to directly communicate with the cadets, the officer said.

It is learnt that data from all 716 districts of the country is being collected, with NCC units being told that cadets should also download the Narendra Modi application on their smart phones as it would be an ideal platform for communication.

Special instructions were also sent on 16 March for a separate, detailed list of direct phone numbers of college students enrolled in the NCC. This data has to be shared with the PMO by 30 March, according to the instructions.

“Data in respect of second-year and third-year (students) will be clearly and separately indicated, preferably with different coloured text,” instructions sent to the units specify. Officials said this data was being collected specially because the probability of college students having access to smart phones was higher, giving them a direct opportunity to interact with the PM with suggestions or grievances.

It has been recommended that the students’ download the NaMo application on their smart phones as well. “The Honourable PM Narendra Modi has desired a direct interaction with maximum cadets of NCC. This is feasible by downloading the Narendra Modi app in the cell phones of the cadets,” another letter dated 23 February reads.

Officials said cadets will shortly be informed about the date of the video conference, where the PM will address their concerns and views.

According to officials conducting the event, as a former NCC cadet himself, the PM wanted to speak to the current crop. “It is his direct outreach to all the cadets,” an official said, adding, “This will be in line with his earlier address to school students, district magistrates and teachers.”

Formed in 1946, the NCC is one of the largest student bodies in the country with 15 lakh enrolled cadets. Of these, nearly 7 lakh are college students while the rest join in school. Cadets are given special preference to join the armed forces as well.

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