Maj Gen Bhaskar Kalita, ADG NCC Directorate NER flagged in the Sailing Expedition – Lachit II on Wednesday at Pandu Port, Guwahati as part of 75 years of NCC Raising celebrations.  The expedition was flagged off from Biswanath Ghar, Biswanath Chariali on 17 October.

76 Senior Division and Senior Wing Naval NCC Cadets from 48 and 49 Assam Naval Unit NCC participated in the expedition. The team covered a distance of 220 KMs in 10 days transversing through 05 districts before reaching Pandu Port, Guwahati.

The expedition team took night halts at Silghat, Jahajghat, Thelamara, Tengagauri, Baramari, Kashasila, Hatisila, Kurua, and Lachit Ghat while en route to Pandu Port, Guwahati. While en route, the team interacted with locals and spread awareness on various social issues viz. Drug Abuse, Beti Bachao Beti Padao, and Social Media – Benefits and Harms etc. The team also undertook a cleaning drive of river fronts as part of Puneet Sagar Abhiyaan and distributed dustbins to various schools and colleges during halts as Social Service and Community Development.

The expedition was conducted with an aim of promoting the spirit of adventure amongst NCC Cadets and highlighting the contribution of NCC towards Nation building since independence.

The expedition was led by Lt Cdr Rajesh Bhujel, CO 49 A NU NCC and was assisted by Lt Cdr Debanand Doley, CO 48 A NU NCC as Safety Officer. Three in no 27 ft DK Whalers, a Support Vessel from IWT, Army, and two rescue boats from both the Naval NCC Units were part of the expedition. The expedition team was tested by the uncharted routes as few of the locations such as Thelamara, Tengaguri and Baramari are not regular ports. Apart from this, the team also withstood the challenges imposed by cyclone ‘Sitrang’ during the last legs of the expedition wherein the team completed the last two legs in incessant rain and gusty winds

The expedition allowed the Naval NCC cadets to explore the mightiness of the river Brahmaputra as well as understand the importance of maintaining the rivers for future generations. They also had a unique experience of understanding the lives of people residing on the river banks which will help them in their future endeavours.

Brig Dinar Dighe, Gp Cdr, NCC Gp HQ Guwahati,  Partha Pegu, Director, IWT Guwahati, and Col Arvind Singh Thakur, CO 1 Assam NCC Bn also attended the event.

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