“I was asked by our Principal to oversee the cadet band of the College. However, as I had to attend the Asian games in 2009, I couldn’t take up the responsibilty,” she said. She was successful in winning a silver medal at the Asian games.
We met Lt. Bhagya Egodagedara during our visit to Newstead Girls College in Negombo. She is the Physical Education teacher at the College - and has been the Cadet Officer at Newstead College for five years since 2011. She was happy to share her experiences as a Cadet Officer with us.
“I didn’t come from a cadeting background but I was asked to take up the job as the Cadet Officer of the College,” she said.
She is a product of Holy Cross College, Gampaha, had learnt Wushu during her school days and has (at the Asian games) represented the country.
“I was asked by our Principal to oversee the cadet band of the College. However, as I had to attend the Asian games in 2009, I couldn’t take up the responsibility” she said. She was successful in winning a silver medal at the Asian games.
“I had no experience in overseeing a cadet band. But if the Principal asks us to do something, we are bound to do so. So, I accepted the offer,” said Bhagya.
Soon after taking up the responsibility, she went to Rantembe for Cadet Officer training in 2011.
Rantambe, of course, was a blessed time for them. She and other trainee Cadet Officers had the opportunity to learn many things and enjoy much. She recalled one funny event that happened during the ‘Jungle Exploration’ activity.
They went on the Jungle Exploration to the jungle near Rantambe. Bhagya was a member of the C2 (Charlie 2) team. They had to build a camp in the jungle. Once they set up the camp, no one could step inside without saying the correct password.
It was time for the Rantambe instructors and other officers to inspect each camp in order to give them marks. Bhagya saw that the officers were on their way to inspect the camp and thought of having some fun. She yelled at the senior officers to stand still and raise their hands.
“Hands up and tell the password to enter the camp” she said loudly.
Only one officer followed her orders and raised his hands.
“Everyone, hands up” she yelled again.
All senior officers raised their hands as there seemed to be no other choice.
‘Mora’ (Shark) is the clue we are giving you to the password. You better figure it out fast” she commanded her senior officers.
The Senior Officers tried their best to figure out the password. ‘Minee Mora (Killer Shark), Kiri Mora (Milk Shark)’ were some passwords they came up with. But the true password was, Mora Meeharaka (Shark/ Buffalo).
“None of you know the password. You cannot enter the camp”, said Bhagya and then she pretended to fire at them.
It was fun for us all. They (senior officers) were very happy with us. They had experienced a totally different treatment at the girl’s camp unlike at the boy’s camp. They welcomed the senior officers with garlands. The boys were criticised by the senior officers for not' taking a leaf out of the girl’s camp’. Learn to do something right from them. They didn’t allow us to enter their camp without proper channelling” senior officers told the boys.
“I personally learnt a lot during that training. I was placed third in the firing squad. It wasn’t that hard for me since I used to do Wushu too. The training was quite good and very helpful” added Bhagya.
“However, after such rigorous training for 48 days, when we returned home no one could recognise us as we had got so sunburnt” she said with a smile.
Pix – Chaminda Niroshana
NCC HQ