250 NCC cadets to take part in expedition to Mount Deo Tibba

Wing Commander Kunal Sharma, Commanding Officer of 1 HP Air Squadron, NCC, is set to lead two prestigious national-level mountaineering expeditions in Himachal Pradesh this year under the aegis of the NCC Directorate (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh). The expeditions include the All-India NCC Mountaineering Expedition to Mt Deo Tibba (6,001 metres) from June 1 to 25 and the All-India NCC Girls Cadets Prangla Trek (5,678 metres), planned for August.

He said that around 250 NCC cadets from across India would participate in the selection trials to be conducted at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports from May 19 to 25. The shortlisted cadets would subsequently undergo a week-long pre-expedition training camp before the main summit expedition begins.

According to Wing Commander Sharma, these expeditions were significant not only for the National Cadet Corps but also for Himachal Pradesh, as these would bring together NCC cadets from various states and union territories of the country on a common platform of adventure, leadership and national integration.

Wing Commander Sharma said that the Mt Deo Tibba expedition would be a milestone for the state as it would be the first tri-services inter-state NCC trekking and mountaineering expedition of such a scale in the region. He added that the initiative aimed to instill the qualities of discipline, endurance, courage, camaraderie and leadership among young cadets while simultaneously promoting adventure tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

The expedition route has been planned from Manali through Chikka, Seri, Tenta, Camp I and Camp II before the summit attempt on Mt Deo Tibba. Wing Commander Sharma said that the challenging terrain and the pristine Himalayan landscape would provide cadets with valuable high-altitude mountaineering experience and exposure to extreme adventure conditions.

He added that the Union Ministry of Defence had granted administrative approval for the expedition and authorised the participation of the Army, Navy, Air Force and NCC personnel along with NCC cadets. Necessary support, including mountaineering equipment, transport, communication facilities and medical assistance, would be provided through the armed forces.