The three day long Joint Cycling Expedition organised under the aegis of Tezpur based Gajraj Corps was flagged in today at Arunachal Pradesh’s last village Balemu at the tri-junction of Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Balemu is small village at Indo-Bhutan Border in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The expedition was flagged off from Thakurbari, Assam on 11 August.
This 163 km long cycling expedition had participants from Indian Army (including four lady officers), SSB, ITBP and most notably from the civilian background, some of which are aspiring to become Agniveers. Total 75 participants commemorating 75 years of Independence traversed through beautiful Assam and pristine Arunachal. They were given a warm and boisterous welcome at number of places by Tiranga carrying crowds soaked in nationalistic fervour. The final event also witnessed a short cultural program by the local artists.
The expedition was an inspiration from Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) who was actually scheduled to travel to this last village to welcome in the cycling expedition but could not ultimately make it due to inclement weather. In his place General Officer Commanding of the Gajraj Corps Lt Gen DS Rana flagged in the expedition. Lt Gen Rana while addressing the gathering conveyed the message of national integration and unity. He praised the noble effort made by all the participants, civil administration and locals including large number of children for their effort in Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, being celebrated all over the country with pride and fervour.
