CHENNAI: A sailing expedition undertaken by National Cadet Corps cadets in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was flagged off on Monday to honour the nation’s Param Vir Chakra awardees.
The expedition, titled “Param Vir Sagar Yatra 2026,” was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Commander in Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, at the historic Flag Point in Sri Vijaya Puram.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Biplab Hota, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Andaman and Nicobar Command, senior officers of the Armed Forces, civil officials and over 600 students.
These included NCC cadets, cadets from the Navy’s Sea Cadet Corps and members of the Bharat Scouts and Guides.
The expedition is being organised by the NCC Directorate of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A team of NCC cadets from the islands will sail on board Indian Naval ships to 21 uninhabited islands in the Union Territory that have been named after Param Vir Chakra awardees.
At each island, the acts of valour of the respective awardee will be read out and soil samples will be collected as a mark of tribute.
The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest wartime gallantry award.
The first phase of the expedition was carried out between December 17 and 20, during which a team comprising 10 male and 10 female cadets visited 12 islands with logistical support from the Indian Navy.
In the next phase, the cadets will visit the remaining nine islands on board another naval ship of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
After completing the trip, the cadets will travel to New Delhi, where the expedition will be formally concluded. The collected soil, known as the Param Vir Mati Kalash — will be presented to the Prime Minister during a ceremonial event linked to the Republic Day celebrations.