Cycle expedition - ‘A soldier's pilgrimage across Konark Corps’

Jodhpur: Lt Gen RK Jagga, GOC Konark Corps on Saturday flagged in the Cycling Expedition Team of ‘The First Lights’, at a ceremony held at Konark Auditorium at Jodhpur, amidst much fanfare.

The Indian Army is known for its glorious history, valour, gallantry, discipline and grandeur. Indian Army has an opulent martial tradition which dates back to pre-independence era. The valiant warriors of India have fought fierce battles across various battlefields and drew lines with blood - a line enemy dare not cross. These battlefields are akin to pilgrimages for the soldiers of Indian Army. They bear testimony of grit, valour and sacrifice of the fallen and inspire us. 

In order to pay reverence to the martyrs, ‘The First Lights’ under the aegis of Konark Air Defence Brigade undertook ‘A Soldier’s Pilgrimage across Konark Corps’, a daunting cycling expedition to eight prominent battlefields in Rajasthan. This expedition had mix of purpose, adventure and exploration. The expedition was designed to challenge the limits of endurance, inspire the young soldiers and expose them to the martial history. 

The expedition was flagged off on 10 March 2018 from Jodhpur Military Station. During the course of their journey, the team of ten cyclists led by Capt E Syam, covered about 2200 kms from Jodhpur through eight major battlefields of Rajasthan, i.e. Jodhpur, Nagaur, Ranthambore, Chittorgarh, Haldighati, Gadra City, Jaisalmer, Longewala and Tanot. The expedition was on roads from 10th March to 31st March pedalling their way through the roads, jeep tracks and cross country trails, challenging their own mental and physical capabilities.

The expedition team at the end of their epic journey received a befitting welcome and were Flagged In by GOC Konark Corps. The expedition team handed over the Expedition Plaque, containing sacred soil of all the battlefields visited to the GOC, as a befitting reminiscence of the pilgrimage and a token of homage to the fallen braves. The GOC commended the expedition team on their feat and alluded that such expeditions are true to the Indian Army’s theme of adventure, spreading harmony and connecting to the local population.