NCC to Conduct First Ever Brahmaputra Sailing Expedition in Assam

Guwahati, October 11, 2019:

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) of Assam will host the state's first-ever Brahmaputra Sailing Expedition called 'Lachit 1' at the Biswanath Ghat on October 25.

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As many as 80 cadets will be participating in the sailing expedition, among which, 10 are girls. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will flag off the ceremony from Guwahati's Pandu port.

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It may be mentioned here that the focus of Assam's first-ever sailing expedition on the Brahmaputra where the same Battle of Saraighat was fought in 1671, is to rekindle the memories of the epic bravery of the Sons of the Soil of Assam.

The aim is to remind the present generation of the valour displayed by the great Ahom General Lachit Borphukan and the first lady Freedom Fighter of Assam Kanaklata Barua,

Addressing the media, Major General Bipin Bakshi (ADG, NCC, NER) said that the expedition, undertaken by the NCC Directorate, Shillong, with the support of the Assam Government and Army Eastern Command is stepping into an uncharted area as nobody has ever attempted a sailing expedition on the Brahmaputra.”

He added that the expedition named 'Lachit 1' will cover a total distance of 220 km. It has been named after Lachit Borphukan, the Chief Commander of the Ahom Army in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.

The expedition is scheduled from October 16 to October 25. The cadets will halt every night and will sail during the daytime. They will be crossing the site where the naval battle of Saraighat took place between the Ahom kingdom and the Mughal Empire.

Three sturdy DK Whaler Sailing boats of the naval NCC units will be used by the cadets for the expedition. They will complete the expedition completely using the wind and muscle power as these boats are non-motorized.

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Bipin Bakshi added that he proposed for a sailing expedition in 1988 but it was not approved due to lack of resources.

The expedition is believed to serve as an awareness campaign as the cadets, in collaboration with the Principal Conservator of Forest, Assam, will also spread awareness among the nearby villages about the dangers to the Brahmaputra and its marine life.

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