Cycling expedition to commemorate 1965 war

JAIPUR: To commemorate the golden jubilee of the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the Indian Army today flagged off the second phase of Shahbaaz Division's Cycling Expedition in the presence of senior officers and jawans in Jodhpur today.

Flagged off by Lt General PS Mehta, Corps Commander Sudarshan Chakra Corps, in presence of Major General Prithi Singh, GOC Shahbaaz division, the event was organized by 16 Mech under the Cutting Edge Brigade, an official release said here.

The year 2015 marks the 'Golden Jubilee Year' for Shahbaaz Division and the 50 years of Indian victory over Pakistan in 1965 war.

To commemorate the same, Shahbaaz Division organized a Cycling Expedition from Sagar (MP) to Lakhpat (Gujarat) via Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Tanot-Nawatalla-Gadara-Barmer-Dhorimana-Sanc hore-Suigam-Radhnapur-Vauva-Chitrod-Gandhidhan-Bhuj-Nakhatrana -Lakhpat, covering a total distance of 3355 kilometers.

The expedition is being carried out in three phases. The first phase which started on September 18 from Sagar (MP) culminated in Jodhpur yesterday, covering a distance of 1382 kms.

The second phase which commenced today will reach Gadra Road on October 22, covering a distance of 1059 kms.

The expedition will move to Gadra from Jodhpur via Jaisalmer-Tanot-Laungewala-Sam and Barmer.

Enroute, the cycling team will interact with the youth and children in villages and motivate them to join the armed forces, fostering a healthy relationship between the nation and army.

The cycling team will also visit some war memorials on the route which includes Jaisalmer Fort, Memorial of Brigadier Uday Singh Bhati (Mahavir Chakra), 1971 War Memorial of Colonel Anup Singh, 2nd World War, Tanot Mata Mandir and Laungewala war memorial.

The main objective of expedition is to generate awareness among the people especially youth about the valour and sacrifices by the Indian Army and the exemplary courage to win against all odds, whereby motivating them to join the army in service to the nation.