510 NCC cadets from across south India trek Tirumala hills in eight-day AP TREK-I expedition at Tirupati

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Cadets from across south India on the AP TREK-I trekking expedition under way at Tirupati on Wednesday. The eight-day camp is conducted by the NCC’s Tirupati group headquarters. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The 510 cadets who have converged here from across south India were visibly impressed by the traditional heritage and cultural diversity of Tirupati, not to mention the spiritual significance of the hill town of Tirumala.

The All India Senior Division/Junior Division Trekking Expedition (named AP TREK-I) has brought 510 cadets and 15 Associate NCC Officers from five Directorates covering the states and union territories of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Karnataka and Goa, Kerala and Lakshadweep.

The 5 (Andhra) Girls Battalion, which is conducting the eight-day camp on behalf of the NCC Tirupati group headquarters, has divided the participants into four mixed batches, each having a balanced representation drawn from all the five Directorates, to encourage inter-state bonding, camaraderie and the spirit of “Unity in Diversity”.

As part of the training and adventure activity schedule, the cadets were made to trek the Tirumala hills and back, besides visiting places of interest such as the Regional Science Centre, S.V. Zoological Park and Nagaravanam in and around the city.

Colonel N.K. Sharma, Group Commander, NCC group headquarters, Tirupati, who doubled as the trek manager, said the participants would experience physical endurance, team spirit and situational awareness at the camp, and they would also be exposed to the region’s cultural, scientific and natural heritage.

Despite their disparate social and geographical backgrounds, the cadets came together to enjoy the spirit of adventure and imbibe the theme of national integration. They said they had learnt the nuances of trekking, survival skills, teamwork and leadership skills.

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