Major General DN Singh, Chief of Staff, Chetak Corps, interacts with participants before flagging off the expedition in Bathinda on Saturday. Tribune photo: Pawan sharma

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 8

Major General DN Singh, Chief of Staff, Chetak Corps, flagged off a bicycle expedition-cum-camel safari of ‘Team AREN’, the Chetak Signallers, here today.This expedition comprising one officer, two junior commissioned officers and 12 jawans will cover 712 km, traversing through Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, and culminating in Bathinda on October 22.Steering through the sand dunes of the desert, the team will also reach out to the veterans, to know their problems, to brief them about latest schemes.They will also meet school and college students to spread the message of national integrity and educate the youth about opportunities available for joining the Indian Army.The team will also spread awareness various initiatives of the Government of India viz Digital India, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.An Army official claimed that the bicycle expedition with camel safari would provide an opportunity to the team members to exploit the arid desert, interact with the local population and reach out to the youth.It is an initiative of Sapta Shakti Command at Jaipur to reach out to veterans of the Indian Army.A number of similar rallies are being organised to spread awareness.