GUWAHATI, Oct 11 - Stepping into an uncharted area, the NCC Directorate of North Eastern Region has embarked on a pioneering project to conduct the first-ever sailing expedition on the Brahmaputra to commemorate the Battle of Saraighat.
Christened as Lachit-I, the 10-day expedition will be flagged off from Biswanath Chariali on October 16 and after traversing 220 km, it will culminate at Pandu on October 25.
ADG NCC Maj Gen Bipin Bakshi said the waters of the mighty Brahmaputra have been selected for this ambitious initiative, using the expertise available with the military personnel of NCC, three sturdy whaler sailing boats of the Naval NCC Units and support from the Army Eastern Command as well as the Assam government.
�The focus of this expedition on the same waters where the famous Battle of Saraighat was fought in 1671, is to rekindle the memories of the epic bravery of the sons of the soil of Assam, while fostering a spirit of adventure amongst the youth.
It will also bring to fore the rich heritage and remind the present generation of the valour displayed by the great Ahom general Lachit Borphukan,� Maj Gen Bakshi said.
The NCC intends to make this expedition an annual feature.
In order to keep the spirits of the participating cadets high the official song for this expedition chosen is �Moha Bahu Brahmaputra� by the legendary singer Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
Eighty NCC cadets are being trained for the expedition of which 10 are girls.
At one point of time, there will be 24 cadets on water � eight in three whaler boats which are maneuvered by muscle and wind power.
