EASTERN COMMAND TRANS THEATRE ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES (ECTTAA-22) WESTERN TO EASTERN EXTREMITIES ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDERS.

A series of Adventure Activities is being conducted by the Indian Armys Eastern Command Headquarters. It starts from Mt Jongsong Peak in the western extremities to Jachep La in the Eastern most part, all along the Northern Borders in the Eastern Command area of responsibility. The adventure activities are planned over 78 days,   19 teams, Three mountaineering expedition, the highest being 7642 mtr, Seven treks of more than 750 Kms, traversing the heights of 16500 feet, Six Cycling Expedition over 1000 Kms on non-existent roads along six valleys, rafting over Three rivers. All of this in Sikkim and  Arunachal Pradesh.  

The most positive outcome would be to showcase the whole of nation approach in the Eastern Command area of responsibility and help in increasing awareness about the beauty and potential of adventure tourism in North East India. These Expeditions along the trails of Himalayas are being done under a unique Civil Military Co-operation. Most of these routes have never been explored by civilians, due to inaccessibility of these areas. 

In Trekking natural beauty is the reward, it connects people with nature, and allows people to get a better knowledge of the surroundings. They will traverse the narrow valleys, high mountains, pristine lakes and will go through some mesmerising landscapes, which are otherwise unreachable. It will test the limits of physical endurance, mental resolve and team coordination of the members and connect the participants with nature and folk of remote areas.  

The cycling expeditions in the mountains and forests will make for a unforgettable introduction to the natural scenic beauty along our Borders. The cyclists can savour the freedom to explore and at the same time meet the people and learn about their culture.  Cycling expeditions are packed with adventure, skill, quick thinking and team work. Our six cycling expeditions though will involve crossing mountain passes, peddling over dirt tracks, heartbreaking uphill climbs, rough - shod crossing of mountain stream and crossing through jungles, but you will be witness to the most enthralling views.

 

Rafting is undoubtedly one of the most enthralling and physically demanding adventure sport sports in the world. The adrenaline rush and the excitement experienced while riding and tumbling down the white water of fast-flowing river across boulder- strewn beds is simply unmatched.  Three Rafting expeditions in torrential rivers will pump the adrenaline amongst the team members as they will test their skills along the fast current of rivers, bouncing over rapids on inflatable raft. Rafting in itself is litmus test for team work and the experience of negotiating the choppy rivers would last a lifetime of memories.

While the Indian Army is known for its participation in adventure activities, this time, in an unique civil-military cooperation effort, the events will consist of participants from both, civil and military. The Civilian Participants will be able to visit these places and face challenges which are the stuff of dreams for all adventure enthusiasts.  While showcasing the importance of civil-military synergy, these will also help highlight the landscape, flora, fauna, culture and traditions of these remote untouched border areas and boost tourism into these areas. As a boost to Nari Shakti, approximate fifteen female members will also be part of these activities.

There was great response received from number of mountaineers for the  Mt Jongsong expedition. Four mountaineers, including two women have been shortlisted based on their past experience. Each one of them are famed and experienced mountaineer.

(a) Satyarup Sidhanta, a B. Tech in Computer Science, certified architect, certified Horse Rider, P1 level certified Paraglider, motivational speaker and a certified mountaineer from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling was the youngest mountaineer in the World and first from India, to climb the 7 Summits and the 7 Volcanic Summits. He also has the distinction of skiing the last degree to the South Pole and playing the National Anthem on flute at Antarctica.  He has also published many scientific papers on mountaineering and other subjects of his interest. 

(b) Dr Varuna Raina is a Doctor and mountaineer. She has done more than 50 high altitude Himalayan treks including Everest Base Camp and  3-passes trek without a guide/porter. She was selected as the Team Doctor for the Pre- Everest International Monetary Fund (IMF) selection camp in 2020. In July 2021, she climbed Kang Yatse II at 6250m in Ladakh. Through her climbing, she endeavours to spread  awareness about Diabetes and Mental Health issues.

(c) Tiyash Mukhopadhay is an avid mountaineer and journalist. He did his Basic Mountaineering Course from HMI in 2009 and has experience of ten mountaineering and many trekking and motorbike expeditions.

(d) Rajeev Kumar Mondal, renowned for his solo expeditions has successfully completed solo expeditions to Muktinath in Nepal, Tapovan in                   

Jamunotri and Mt Shrikanto in Garhwal. In 2009, in an effort to create awareness about the deteriorating ecology in the Himalayas, he did a solo expedition over nine months from Leh to Arunachal Pradesh, across the Himalayas.

(e) Mahua Biswas, an advance mountaineering course qualified, is a  twelve times medallist in Sport Climbing at various Zonal and National level, has experience of eleven mountaineering expeditions and many trekking expeditions.     

The Flagging off ceremony of Eastern Command Trans Theatre Adventure Activities 2022 will be conducted at Manan Bhawan, Gangtok (Sikkim) on 25 Aug 2022. Shri Ganga Parsad, Governer of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister Sikkim and General Officer Commanding 33 Corps, Lieutenant General Tarun Kumar Aich, Ati Vishist Seva Medal, Sena Medal will jointly flag off a total of 19 Adventure Activities to be undertaken by joint teams including civil and military members covering the western to eastern extremities along the Northern Borders.