Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

‘Bisons’ in blue waters

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It will be an adventure expedition with a difference for the men of the 54 Infantry Division of the Indian Army for six weeks beginning March 22. In a first-of-its-kind expedition the ‘Bison Division’ will sail the coast off the Lakshadweep Islands with a twin mission: soak in the adventures offered by the blue waters and learn to protect the endangered coral reefs of the islands.

General Officer Commanding of the Bison Division Major General Rajesh Singh will flag off the expedition christened ‘Bison Blue Waters Expedition’ on March 22 at Agathi. Representatives of the World Wildlife Fund India and National Geographic will also be part of the expedition which will be conducted in two legs. The first leg of ‘Bison Blue Waters’ will be an island-hopping affair wherein the army men would engage in such activities as para motoring, scuba diving, powered rafting and beach running. Noted ecologists will give talks on protecting the coral reefs.

During the second leg of the expedition, the ‘Bisons’ will sail the ocean on the yacht ‘Trishna’ which has unique distinction of sailing around the world with an all-army crew in 1985. “The ‘Trishna’ will sail from Mumbai to Lakshadweep Islands and back via Goa and Kochi over a period of three weeks where the crew will also interact with the inhabitants of the islands,” says a pressnote.

During the expedition the 100-plus Bisons of all ranks will spread awareness on the islands about the army and about the need to protect the fragile ecology of the Lakshadweep. “The expedition is a big step by the army that will help in enhancing the maritime awareness in the Indian Army as also bringing the local population closer to the men in uniform.”

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