Lieutenant General PC Thimmaya, General Officer Commanding of Chetak Corps flags off the cycling expedition in Bathinda. A Tribune photograph

Bathinda, October 12

The Indian Army is built on the foundation of discipline, esprit de corps, courage and adventure. It has always been at the forefront of adventure-related activities.With this view, South Western Command Army Aviation is conducting a cycling expedition from Bathinda to Jhansi via Jaipur. The expedition was flagged off by Lieutenant General PC Thimmaya, General Officer Commanding of Chetak Corps, on Monday.The expedition, comprising Capt HS Tomer, one Junior Commissioned Officer and five jawans, will cover 900 km traversing through the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP and Uttar Pradesh. The expedition will finally culminate at Jhansi on October 18.The team of Army aviation, the largest operator of helicopters in the Indian Army, will carry the message of safety and security to citizens. The members of the team will utilize this opportunity to interact with local populace, especially students of various educational institutes along the way.They will extend an open arm invitation to all adventure lovers into the folds of Indian Army. The expedition team aims to motivate the youth to join the Army and pursue adventure activity and excellence in profession. The Army hopes to reach out to people through this adventure activity to foster the spirit of adventure, camaraderie, patriotism and the will to serve the country. — TNS