Rafting expedition flagged in

The General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Gajraj Corps Lt Gen A S Bedi today flagged in the white water rafting expedition from Marjung La to Bhalukpong in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The expedition was flagged off by GoC Blazing Sword Division Major General Alok Raj on January 27, a defence communique informed.
The expedition undertaken by Blazing Sword Division of Indian Army in conjunction with National Institute of Mountaineering & Allied Sports (NIMAS) covered a distance of 121 km involving 51 rapids in Kameng River over a period of seven days.
It was aimed to develop a spirit of adventure, inculcate leadership qualities, camaraderie and esprit-de-corps amongst army personnel, it said.

The team comprising six officers, one JCO and 28 OR was led by Lt Col B N Jha and Lt Col Surender Singh, the communique said.
Besides inculcating the spirit of adventure and esprit-de-corps, the expedition team interacted with the ex-servicemen enroute and also gave useful inputs to locals and civilians about the opportunities in army and in return learned about their local customs and traditions.

The expedition team also provided glimpses and insight into environmental awareness to the local populace.
One of the key objectives of the expedition was to ensure operational orientation, instill offensive spirit and training in riverine terrain.

The team undertook intense preparation, learning the basics of white water rafting at Army Aqua Nodal Centre (AANC), Nimmu while the advanced training was done at National Institute of mountaineering & Allied Sports (NIMAS), the communique added.