KATRA, Jul 23: Cadet (SUO) Dhruv Gera of SMVDU represented India at the prestigious Army Cadet International Exchange 2026 held in the United Kingdom under the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP).
The three-week international programme brought together cadets from seven countries—India, Australia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and the United Kingdom—to promote cultural understanding, leadership, and military cooperation among youth.
Only 10 meritorious NCC cadets from across India were selected through a rigorous assessment process to represent the country in the programme, organized by the Army Cadet Force (ACF), the UK’s equivalent of the National Cadet Corps (NCC). During their stay in theUK, the cadets visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site Stonehenge, historic Avebury Monument, and the Army Cadet Force Training Institute to understand the training infrastructure and cadet development system followed in the UK.
A major highlight of the exchange was a week-long adventure training programme at the CapelCurig Adventure Training Centre in Snowdonia National Park, Wales. The cadets underwent challenging activities including mine exploration, mountaineering, rock climbing, stand-up paddle boarding, and canoeing.
SUO Dhruv successfully completed the most difficult rock-climbing route in a remarkably short time and received special appreciation from the instructors for his exceptional performance.
The contingent also visited the historic Caernarfon Castle, where they explored artifacts and military equipment from both World Wars.
At Barry Buddon, an active UK Army training area, the cadets received training in British Army field signals, patrolling tactics, command tasks, airrifle shooting, stalking, first aid, and escape room exercises. The training culminated in ExerciseStriking Lion, an intensive 32-hour field exercise conducted under realistic military conditions.
At the concluding award ceremony, the Indian contingent won seven medals, with SUO Dhruv earning an individual medal for being adjudged the Best in Stalking, bringing great pride to the nation and SMVDU.
The cultural component of the programme included performances in London and visits to iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge, and the London Eye.
The Indian delegation also visited India House, the High Commission of India in London. The programme concluded with a formal dinner hosted at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich.
Congratulating SUO Dhruv Gera on his remarkable achievement, Lieut. (Dr.) Varun Dutta, NCC Coordinator, SMVDU, and Dr. Yati Aggrawal, In-charge, Air Wing NCC, stated that representing India on an international platform is a matter of immense pride and reflects the dedication, discipline, and leadership qualities nurtured through NCC training.
Prof. (Dr.) Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, and Sh. Ajay Kumar Sharma, Registrar, SMVDU, congratulated SUO Dhruv Gera on his outstanding accomplishment andappreciated his exemplary representation of the university and the nation at the internationallevel. They wished him continued success in all his future endeavours.