'Veer Yatra' to take tourists down an adventurous path

In case the adventurous among you are looking for a brush with the rough and tumble of military life and want to have a closer look at the lives of the valorous men in olive green, opt for 'Veer Yatra' this coming summer vacations.

Maharashtra Ex-Servicemen Corporation's (MESCO) first-ever attempt at introducing military tourism in the country will afford tourists an opportunity to get a ringside view of military life.

Tourists will be taken on guided tours at warfare centres and memorials, defence establishments and given an insight into military management techniques and games, the art of war and survival techniques and much more.

MESCO will spice up the tours with camp fires in colonial-era guesthouses, white water rafting, crocodile sightings and forest adventures, complemented by delicious Konkani cuisine on the western coast of Maharashtra.

"Military tourism is a well established concept worldwide, but has not been explored in a structured way in India. The military, its intricacies, heroism, security, wars and other things generate huge interest," MESCO managing director Suhas Jatkar said.

The package tours organised by the ex-servicemen's association, a state government undertaking founded in 2002, will fund welfare measures for former defence forces personnel, war widows and their families.

The endeavour will also serve to strengthen the emotional bonds between the military and the civilians, besides inculcating a spirit of patriotism among the youngsters, Jatkar said.

--IANS

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