Commemorating the 75th year of NCC Raising celebrations, Maj Gen Bhaskar Kalita, YSM, ADG NCC Directorate NER, flagged in the Sailing Expedition – Lachit II at Pandu Port in Guwahati on October 26.

The sailing expedition flagged off from Lachit II in Biswanath Chariali on October 17 and was participated by nearly 76 Senior Division and Senior Wing Naval NCC Cadets from 48 and 49 Assam Naval Unit NCC.

The team covered a distance of 220 KMs in 10 days traversing through 5 districts before reaching Pandu Port on Wednesday.

During the pre-sailing phase, the cadets were trained on river sailing and pulling aspects; and underwent jump and recovery procedures in river current in case of any contingency.

All the cadets who participated in the expedition are swimming qualified and have undergone the pulling/sailing training, including Man Over Board Drill, to overcome emergencies.

The expedition was led by Lt Cdr Rajesh Bhujel, CO 49 A NU NCC, and assisted by Lt Cdr Debanand Doley, CO 48 A NU NCC as Safety Officer. Three 27 ft DK Whalers, a Support Vessel from IWT, Army, and two rescue boats from the Naval NCC Units used in the expedition.

Apart from this, the team also withstood the challenges imposed by cyclone ‘Sitrang’ during the last legs of the expedition, wherein the team finished the final two legs amid relentless rain and strong winds.

The expedition provided the Naval NCC cadets an opportunity to learn about the power of the river Brahmaputra and the value of preserving rivers for future generations.