A contingent of NCC cadets from Telangana recently participated in the 14th edition of the All India Trekking Expedition, Kerala Trek-I, held at Kulamavu in the Idukki district of Kerala. This year's event marked a milestone as it was the first time the Kerala Trek-I was organised exclusively for girl cadets. Cadets from the senior and junior wings of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry joined their peers from the host Kerala and Lakshadweep Directorate for an eight-day adventure, held from September 10 to 17.
The participants, numbering 504, made their way to the camp amidst a heavy downpour that added to the mystique of the scenic hilly terrain of Idukki. The cadets, on arrival at Ernakulam, were transported to the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, where they were accommodated for the duration of the expedition. The excitement was palpable as the cadets were greeted with the vibrant atmosphere of pre-Onam festivities en route to their destination, the official note read.
Brigadier G.V.S.
Reddy, Group Commander, Kottayam, serving as the trek director, briefed the cadets on the schedule of events, safety protocols, and health and hygiene practices essential for the trekking expedition. The camp was inaugurated by Brigadier A. Ragesh, Deputy Director General of the Kerala and Lakshadweep Directorate.
Despite the persistent rain and the cold, misty weather, the cadets remained undeterred and eagerly prepared for the challenging trekking route.