NCC successfully completes Special Sailing Expedition from Kanpur to Kolkata

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) today successfully concluded its Special Sailing Expedition from Kanpur to Kolkata, covering a distance of approximately 1,650 km across the Ganges. The expedition, a key part of the Republic Day Celebrations 2025, was flagged in at the Man of War Jetty in Kolkata by Major General Vivek Tyagi, Additional Director General of NCC Directorate (West Bengal & Sikkim).

Addressing the gathering, Tyagi said, "The expedition emphasizes the unwavering courage and sacrifice of the NCC cadets."

Over 400 cadets from all 17 NCC Directorates across the country participated in the expedition, which began on October 21 this year in Kanpur, according to Defence sources. In the final leg of the journey, which spanned approximately 530 km from Manihari to Farakka and then from Farakka to Kolkata, 100 cadets from 11 states and one Union Territory participated. These included cadets from the North East, West Bengal, Sikkim, Kerala, Odisha, and Lakshadweep.


The expedition, themed ‘Bhartiya Nadiya - Sanskritiyo Ki Janani’ (Indian Rivers - The Cradle of Civilizations), aimed to showcase the cultural, ecological, and economic importance of Indian rivers, sources said.

Throughout the journey, the cadets visited 12 significant river ghats and interacted with local communities to promote social awareness and various initiatives. They sailed in two DK Whalers, accompanied by safety boats. The cadets also undertook various social initiatives, including coastal cleaning activities, anti-pollution campaigns, tree plantation drives, and cultural programs aimed at encouraging youth empowerment and nation-building.

These efforts underscored the NCC's commitment to environmental conservation and the promotion of sustainable practices, sources added.

The NCC Director General in New Delhi congratulated the cadets on the successful completion of the expedition, highlighting its role in fostering leadership, discipline, and camaraderie among the youth. The expedition also provided a platform to emphasize the critical role of rivers in transportation, agriculture, fishing, and hydroelectricity generation, officials said.