I began by instilling a sense of pride in NCC staff and cadets by initiating the campaign ‘Once a Cadet, Always a Cadet’. This gave us a life-long purpose as well. Next came the need to transform the culture of cadets taking ‘pride in ragda’ to being proud ‘Amrit Kaal Cadets’ of ‘Amrit Kaal Ki NCC’ for building ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. Thereafter, I used my official residence, renamed as ‘Cadet House’, to host the ‘ADG At Home’ for 40 cadets each from over 60 annual camps as a motivational tool. Then came our increased presence on social media to make NCC the most popular extra curricular activity in Delhi’s colleges. Finally, our staff’s focus on cadets under the policy of ‘Cadets First Always’, the Indian Armed Forces’ first podcast ‘Voice of Red Hackle’, and other initiatives motivated cadets to win the Runners-Up Cup among the 17 state directorates in Bharat (India).
Improved image of NCC in India and the World
Improved image of NCC in India and the World
NCC most popular club in Delhi University
Transformed image of NCC from ‘ragda’ to ‘Amrit Kaal NCC’
Having been a cadet myself and already active on social media, I read the NCC Directorate Delhi faster than most incoming officers could. What I found was a classic legacy-culture problem: harsh, Army-style physical training was driving away exactly the bright, ambitious students the organisation needed; the Directorate was effectively run by long-serving civilian staff and alumni rather than the Army officers meant to lead it; those officers had little pride in the human-development mission at the heart of Prime Minister Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision; and “social service” had become a photo opportunity, not genuine impact. Beyond the cultural diagnosis, the Directorate also managed a sizeable budget and asset base — ₹20 crore in annual training funds and over ₹100 crore in training assets and infrastructure, including the ₹56 crore NCC Bhawan — resources that had been administered adequately, but never deployed strategically toward a single outcome. I set one vision to fix all of this at once: “NCC Delhi wins the Prime Minister’s Banner as India’s most effective human-resource developer.”
Culture change started with me, visibly. I renamed my official residence “Cadet House,” flew the National and NCC flags there, and adopted a crew cut myself — using it, and every piece of the cadet uniform, to teach a specific character quality each was meant to instil. Discipline improved before a single training module changed. “Once a Cadet, Always a Cadet” became our rallying identity, not a slogan, and I personally rewrote every training programme to produce skilled, Amrit Kaal-ready citizens rather than parade-ground soldiers.
I took that same personal presence into the field — inspecting training camps myself and attending campfire cultural nights, which visibly energised both cadets and staff — and into the institution’s roots, instituting inter-college, inter-school and inter-unit competitions with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi personally presenting awards to winning schools and colleges. That single change gave schools and colleges a reason to reinvest in their own NCC units.
I also encouraged cadets to travel to and from their units in uniform; beyond discipline, it put a visible, trusted presence on Delhi’s streets and metro trains at the hours women often feel least safe — a modest but real contribution to a safer city.
Morale rose under ‘Cadets First, Always and Every Time’ — better camp food and accommodation, 100% firing participation, stronger equipping for competitions, and cadets placed at the centre of our social media presence rather than officers. We also completed a ₹4 crore indoor shooting range, the first in the NCC, and opened it to the sports shooters of West Delhi. When Flight Cadet Deepak proposed a podcast in 2023, we backed it immediately — it became the first podcast in NCC, and in India’s Armed Forces. The Directorate had three marquee commitments: the Prime Minister NCC Rally, a ₹7–10 crore event with 3,000 cadets performing for an audience of 20,000 guests; the Independence Day Red Fort contingent of Delhi’s 1,200 cadets; and the prestigious Republic Day Camp. Preparing for the first two had previously been allowed to crowd out the third, and selection and training for the Republic Day Camp were left to slide. We redesigned the calendar so that all three went ahead together, without compromise.
On 27 January 2025, NCC Delhi finished 2nd among 17 state directorates and received the Prime Minister’s Runners-Up Cup, having set out to win the Banner. The transformation of training and culture ran without a single rupee of additional annual budget, by reallocating the Directorate’s existing ₹20 crore allocation rather than expanding it. The 126 cadets of our Republic Day Camp contingent, by then, wanted to win the Banner not for the Directorate, but for the officer who had rebuilt it around them. I remain prouder still of #NCC4Yamuna: over 36,000 cadets in genuine river-conservation service, a campaign that both the Central and Delhi Governments went on to embrace as their own. Today, Voice of Red Hackle still airs — not because anyone is required to make it, but because the cadets who built it refuse to let it stop. The Republic Day Camp now has its own podcast studio for cadets who come to Delhi from across Bharat for this month-long camp.
It is an absolute privilege to pen this testimonial for Major General S P S Vishwasrao, SM & Bar Former Additional Director General, Delhi Directorate NCC, whose visionary leadership and deep commitment have left an indelible mark on The Mann School.
As Chief Officer, I have witnessed firsthand how General Vishwasrao’s progressive approach has transformed the future of our youth. He spearheaded the crucial conversion of NCC vacancies into regular seats, a monumental shift that directly secures long-term, stable opportunities for our cadets. His immense generosity further shone through when he donated Brass band instruments worth ₹3 Lakh to the school, significantly elevating our cadets’ training, capabilities, and pride.
What truly sets General Vishwasrao apart is his deeply personal approach to mentorship. He holds the unique distinction of being the only ADG to break conventional barriers by regularly inviting the cadets to his personal residence for warm, motivating interactions. His memorable visits to our campus and his electrifying addresses have deeply inspired our cadets. I am profoundly grateful for his transformative leadership, open-door policy, and unwavering dedication to shaping the future leaders of our nation.
A Leader Who Inspired Us to Believe in Ourselves
A Personal Testimonial on the Leadership and Legacy of Maj Gen Sunjay P. Vishwasrao
By Dr Rakhi Thareja, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Associate NCC Officer, St. Stephen’s College, Delhi
Jai Hind, Sir!
My association with Maj Gen Sunjay P. Vishwasrao has been a deeply enriching experience, both professionally and personally. As he approaches superannuation this month, I feel privileged to share my appreciation for a leader whose influence extends far beyond his official responsibilities.
His contribution to strengthening the NCC in the Delhi Directorate has been remarkable. His vision, dedication, and initiatives, including several first-time events, have infused fresh enthusiasm into the organisation and motivated cadets and Associate NCC Officers (ANOs) to contribute with greater commitment. His leadership has reinforced the true spirit of the NCC i,e., discipline, character-building, leadership, and service to the nation.
What has touched me most, however, is his ability to connect with people at a personal level. The warmth and generosity with which he welcomed cadets and ANOs into his home reflected his genuine affection for the NCC fraternity. Such gestures transcend the boundaries of rank and responsibility, motivating a sense of belonging that makes an organisation truly special.
As an Associate NCC Officer at St. Stephen’s College, I have found my interactions with him to be invaluable learning experiences. His encouragement and perspective have helped us recognise our potential and appreciate the larger purpose of our responsibilities. He has demonstrated that effective leadership is not merely about managing an organisation; it is about inspiring people, building confidence, and enabling them to realise what they are truly capable of achieving.
I am particularly grateful for the way his leadership has encouraged us to look beyond limitations and approach our responsibilities with renewed conviction. These lessons will remain relevant long after his tenure concludes, guiding us as we continue to nurture young minds and contribute to nation-building through the NCC.
As he retires from active service, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to him for the inspiration, encouragement, and unforgettable memories he leaves behind. His legacy will live on not only through the initiatives he championed but also through the countless cadets and ANOs whose lives he has touched.
Thank you, Sir, for your exemplary leadership and for reminding us of our own worth and potential. It has been a privilege to be associated with you.
Wishing you excellent health, happiness, and a fulfilling new chapter ahead.
With deepest respect and gratitude.
Jai Hind!
Major General Sanjay Vishwasrao’s leadership of NCC Directorate Delhi will stand out for imbibing in 40,000 cadets and staff the true meaning of Amrit Kaal ki NCC. He shifted our focus from ragda to soft skills, built genuine seva around Maa Yamuna, enforced strict implementation of the NCC uniform, and ran imaginative Ek Bharat Shreshtha camps with the NCC Directorates of J&K and the Northeast. His zero tolerance for bad touch made every girl cadet and instructor feel safer under his command. He and Mrs Vishwasrao kept their home and hearts open to cadets, always. He made us all proud to call ourselves ‘Once a Cadet, Always a Cadet.’ The new respect NCC commands within government, and the brilliant, expansive use of social media that changed how Delhi University and society see us, carry his imprint. We miss him each day in NCC. For me personally, he convinced me to ignore momentary commitments and attend NCC’s 1st training on drones. Today, I am the leading drone instructor of NCC Delhi.
