Rajnath Singh Flags Off NCC Girls’ Parang La Trek

• Rajnath Singh flagged off ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’ in New Delhi.
• 28 NCC girl cadets will undertake a 250-km, 30-day Himalayan trek.
• The expedition will cross the 5,578-metre Parang La Pass linking Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
• Defence Minister described the trek as a symbol of India’s growing Nari Shakti.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Aug: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday flagged off the National Cadet Corps (NCC) All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’ in New Delhi, describing the expedition as a powerful reflection of the courage, determination and growing capabilities of India’s Nari Shakti.

The expedition will see 28 NCC girl cadets, led by three women officers representing the Army, Navy and Air Force, undertake a 250-kilometre trek over 30 days through one of India’s most demanding high-altitude routes.

The team will traverse the Parang La Pass, situated at an altitude of 5,578 metres (18,300 feet), connecting the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh with the Changthang region of Ladakh. The route passes through rugged terrain, including glaciers, snowfields, river valleys and high-altitude deserts.

Addressing the cadets, Rajnath Singh said participation in such a challenging expedition demonstrates the resilience and confidence of young women and strengthens the spirit of leadership, discipline and teamwork. He noted that the youngest participant in the expedition is 16-and-a-half years old, while the average age of the team is 19 years.

The Defence Minister said the trek would provide the cadets with valuable lessons in perseverance, self-confidence and self-discovery. He expressed confidence that they would return with memorable experiences and a deeper understanding of their inner strength.

Rajnath Singh also urged the participants to prioritise safety, protect the fragile Himalayan environment through a zero-waste approach, and engage respectfully with local communities to understand their culture and traditions.

Highlighting the NCC’s growing achievements in adventure activities across land, water and air, the Defence Minister praised the girl cadets for leading from the front and said the participation of cadets from across the country reflects the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”

The expedition is being conducted in two phases. A preparatory acclimatisation trek was held earlier in the Bhaba-Pin Valley sector, after which the final team was selected on merit. The initiative aims to promote women’s empowerment, leadership, endurance, teamwork and national integration among NCC cadets.

Director General NCC Lieutenant General Virendra Vats and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and NCC were present at the flag-off ceremony.