Defence Minister flags-in India’s first multi-dimensional adventure sports expedition

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received India’s first multi-dimensional adventure sports expedition On January 7. The expedition was conducted by the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) in France.

Led by Director NIMAS Colonel Sarfaraz Singh, there were a total of 12 people in the team - eight Army personnel and four youths of Arunachal Pradesh. The expedition was conducted in November 2021.

“The expedition team carried out over 250 kilometres of winter trekking in the Alps Mountain Ranges, which included Tour De Mont Blanc trek covering the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. The paragliding team conducted 19 jumps/flights on the valley floor of the Alps from different mountain locations,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

It added, “It was followed by 975 kilometres of cycling from Alps Mountain Ranges to the English Channel near Dunkirk via France, Switzerland and Belgium. The cycling activity was carried out in extreme cold weather condition where the team cycled on an average of 09-10 hours/day without any logistic vehicle.”

Defence Minister also met the whole team and commended their achievement.

“The Multi-dimensional Expedition culminated with 12 deep scuba dives in the Mediterranean Sea. The hoisting and unfurling of the Tricolour was carried out by the team during each adventure activity in air, land and underwater. The team leader, having requisite qualification and experience in mountaineering, cycling, paragliding and scuba diving, participated in all the four adventure activities held during the expedition,” the Ministry of Defence said.