VICTORIA, Seychelles — Six young Seychellois representatives have departed for India to participate in the prestigious National Cadet Corps youth exchange programme, continuing a structured bilateral initiative that deepens people-to-people ties between the two Commonwealth nations. The Seychelles National Youth Council formally saw off the delegation at a ceremony attended by SNYC chief executive Michel Pierre and High Commissioner of India Rohit Rathish, with the group accompanied by programme development officer Franca Esparon for the duration of their stay. This marks the third consecutive year that SNYC has facilitated Seychellois participation in the NCC exchange, and the second consecutive year that Youth Brigade members have been specifically selected, underscoring the programme’s recognised value for national youth development and international engagement.
International youth exchanges of this nature carry deep significance for ordinary Seychellois families because they cultivate global awareness, discipline, civic responsibility, and leadership capacity among the next generation of citizens. For a small island nation with limited domestic exposure to large-scale organisational and multicultural environments, the opportunity to train alongside Indian cadets broadens horizons that local experiences alone cannot replicate. Parents and communities across the archipelago take pride in knowing that their young people are representing Seychelles abroad, returning with fresh perspectives on teamwork, service, and the shared values that bind diverse nations together within the Commonwealth family.
During the two-week NCC exchange programme, participants will engage in leadership training exercises, team-building activities, drill practice, and cultural immersion alongside Indian cadets drawn from units across the subcontinent. The itinerary includes visits to historically significant sites such as the Agra Fort, the War Memorial, India Gate, the National Museum, and the Air Force Museum, offering the Seychelles delegation a comprehensive introduction to India’s rich heritage and modern military institutions. Delegates will also witness the grandeur of the Republic Day Parade on January 26 before departing for home on January 29, having engaged directly with Indian youth officials, community leaders, and their host cadet units throughout the programme duration.
Seychelles and India have maintained robust diplomatic, defence, and development cooperation for many decades, with youth and educational programmes forming an increasingly important pillar of bilateral engagement. Supported by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India, the NCC exchange builds upon existing partnerships in maritime security training, scholarship programmes, and infrastructure development. For Seychelles, these structured youth initiatives complement broader government efforts to invest in human capital and strengthen south-south solidarity with a major regional power that shares historical, legal, and institutional ties rooted in the Commonwealth tradition.
The six selected Youth Brigade members were chosen specifically in recognition of their consistent dedication to community-based voluntary work, reflecting the core organisational values that SNYC seeks to promote and reward nationwide. Programme leaders encouraged the departing students to serve as proud ambassadors of Seychelles throughout their stay, upholding national values of respect, discipline, and openness while embracing India’s extraordinarily rich and diverse cultural heritage. Upon returning to the archipelago, participants are expected to share their experiences with peers in schools and youth clubs, contributing actively to local youth development programmes and inspiring others to pursue service-oriented leadership pathways.
SNYC remains firmly committed to providing meaningful international exposure for Seychellois youth, empowering them with the skills, networks, and global outlook necessary for effective participation in national development.
📷 Image source: Seychelles Defence Forces — sdf.sc
