A student from the 31st Independent Company of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in the Nilgiris is set to take part in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. S. Dinesh Kumar, from Sulur in Coimbatore, is a third-year Defence Studies student at Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam. The college honored him on January 22, 2026. Principal Franklin Jose and Group Captain S. Vijay, a professor at the college, praised his achievements. The 31st Independent Company of NCC in the Nilgiris has about 100 students and has achieved many successes in camps across India. Many cadets have joined the army, Tamil Nadu police, and fire service. Meanwhile, the Nilgiris district administration announced that local Republic Day functions will take place at Government Arts College grounds on January 26 at 10 a.m. District collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru will unfurl the national flag. The event will include various cultural programs, and the public is invited to attend.