60 NCC cadets complete 430 km sailing expedition

Sixty Naval Wing NCC cadets of West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate were flagged in here on Thursday after completing an arduous 430 km sailing expedition from Farakka in Murshidabad district to Kolkata.

A defence ministry spokesman said the cadets had set out on their expedition on June 11 in four whaler class boats.

They were accompanied by two naval officers, eight sailors, one woman NCC officer, a medical assistant and 19 civilian staff in two safety boats.

The expeditionists were 'flagged in' at the Man-of-War' Jetty of Prinsep Ghat by Maj. Gen. A.K. Ghosh, Additional Director General, NCC Directorate of West Bengal & Sikkim.

There were seven halts along the expedition route at Raghunathganj, Berhampur, Katwa, Nabadwip, Kalna, Chinsura and Dakshineswar.

The spokesman said the aim of the sailing expedition was to inculcate a spirit of adventure and healthy competition amongst the cadets, besides building up mental and physical toughness, camaraderie, stamina alertness and ability to integrate as a team of disciplined cohesive body for facing tough situations.

The cadets undertook social service activities en-route like 'Pulse Polio immunisation drive, tree plantation, cleaning of roads, literacy drive, AIDS control programme, 'Save the Tiger', 'Save the girl child' and International Day of Yoga campaign at points of halt.

--IANS

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