New Delhi: Over 500 NCC cadets from across the country will set off on Monday on a first-of-its-kind special sailing expedition, covering a distance of around 1,200 km on the Ganga and Hooghly rivers across three states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bengal.

528 cadets of the Naval branch of the National Cadet Corps will join

The Defence Ministry said on Sunday that the expedition themed 'Indian Rivers - Mother of Cultures' will be flagged off from Kanpur. It will involve 528 cadets of the Naval branch of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

There will also be around 40 associate NCC officers along with the cadets

This first special sailing expedition of NCC will culminate on December 20 in Kolkata, Bengal. The expedition has six stages: Kanpur to Prayagraj (260 km), Prayagraj to Varanasi (205 km), Varanasi to Buxar (150 km), Buxar to Patna (150 km), Patna to Farakka (230 km) and Farakka to Kolkata (205 km). The cadets will be accompanied by around 40 associate NCC officers.

will raise awareness about environmental protection

During the voyage, the cadets will work with local NCC groups to contribute towards the 'Swachh Bharat' initiative by cleaning river banks and removing plastic waste. They will also promote India's rich cultural traditions through 'Nukkad Natak' and raise awareness about environmental conservation. The expedition aims to celebrate India's rich maritime traditions while inspiring the youth to seek adventure and serve the nation as soldiers.

Veernari will send off the cadets

NCC Subedar Major Surendra Singh said that Veer Nari Bimla Devi and Seema Singh will flag off the cadets from Atal Ghat. Bimla Devi's husband Havildar Shiv Narayan Singh, Kirti Chakra (posthumous), sacrificed his life fighting terrorists in Bandipur (Jammu and Kashmir) in 1994. Whereas, Seema Singh's husband Late Lance Naik Jyoti Prakash Singh was Shaurya Chakra (posthumous during the ceremony). The cadets are excited to become the carriers of their culture through this program.

The major phases of the campaign are as follows:

- Phase 1: Kanpur to Prayagraj (260 km)

- Leg 2: Prayagraj to Varanasi (205 km)

- Leg 3: Varanasi to Buxar (150 km)

- Leg 4: Buxar to Patna (150 km)

- Stage Fifth: Patna to Farakka (230 km)