NCC GIRLS MOUNTAINEERING EXPEDITION
FLAGGING OFF
The
National Cadet Corps (NCC) Girls Mountaineering Expedition to
Mount Rudugaira in Garhwal was flagged off by Ms Somi Tandon,
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence here today. Addressing
the cadets she said that the expedition will provide the cadets
an opportunity to be close to the nature and enjoy its beauty.
She said it is the second NCC girls mountaineering expedition
to Mount Rudugaira peak. Earlier in the 1990s the girl’s expedition
scaled this peak. Ms Tandon informed that NCC is the largest Youth
Organisation in the country having over twelve lakh cadets. She
said that NCC cadets are always in the forefront whenever they
were called for help during natural calamity, community development
or spreading the awareness of the different social programmes.
Welcoming
the Chief Guest, Lt. Gen BK Bopanna, Director General NCC informed
that the first mountaineering expedition by the NCC was undertaken
in 1970. The first ever all girls mountaineering expedition was
sent in 1979. Gen Bopanna said since 1985 NCC is sending two mountaineering
expedition, one for the boys and other for the girls every year.
Mount
Rudugaira towers over the Rudugaira Bamak at a height of 5,819
meters (19091 feet) situated in the Gangotri region of Garhwal
Himalayas. It is South West of Gangotri, Latitude 30o
56’E Longitude 78o 50’N. The other peaks in the vicinity
are Gangotri and Jogin Group of Peaks. Rudugaira the name of the
peak has originated from ‘Rudra’ as the myth goes is the angry
appearance of Lord Shiva, where Lord Shiva did the ‘Tandav, dance
while he visited the peak and at that time Lord Shiva’s third
eye opened.
The
team leader is Major Satash Kumar who has earlier been on five
mountaineering expeditions in Zanaskar and Garhwal Himalayas.
He has done the basic and advance mountaineering courses at National
Institute of Mountaineering Uttar Kashi. The deputy leader is
Capt SC O’ Brien who has done basic mountaineering course from
HAWS and he has served in high altitude for some time. Capt (Mrs)
Bharti K Kalyani is the medical officer of the expedition. Twenty
NCC Girls cadets drawn from all regions of the country are well
qualified and all are Basic Mountaineering Course qualified. The
supporting team comprises of two Girl Cadet Instructors from NCC
Directorates, one Junior Commissioned Officer and six Non-Commissioned
Officers from Ladakh Scouts.
Besides
capturing the Rudugaira Peak the expedition will strengthen the
qualities of character, courage, comradeship, discipline, leadership,
secular outlook and spirit of adventure among the cadets. It was
also an exciting opportunity to see the most diverse kind of flora
and fauna of the region and a chance to meet the wonderful and
friendly local people.
The expedition
will also allow the team members to maintain the pristine beauty
and eco balance of the trekking route and Base Camp by being eco
friendly in their conduct and by bringing back maximu1m possible
garbage from the mountain.
The
expedition which will establish base camp at Rudugaira Khark at
15,600 ft via Harsil, Gangotri and Bhuj Khark will attempt the
peak between 21 to 24 September and return to Harsil on 27 September.
