CYCLE EXPEDITION 8 TAMILNADU BN NCC,

12th Sep___ is a unforgettable day. Much earlier on that day, all the birds began to sing 'VANDE MATARAM'. The gentle breeze embraced us with kindness. The commanding officer of 8 Tamilnadu Bn NCC flagged off our cycle Expedition. Under the able guidance of our ANO, the seventeen cadets of 8 Tamilnadu Bn NCC started our expedition from Kumbakonam. We went to Adirampattinam. All along the way the bushy green paddy fields and coconut trees on either side of the road cheered us. We stayed at at Adirampattinam on that night. Next morning (4.15) we went to Kodiakkarai and had a look at the thick forest and the migrating birds taking rest on tree tops there. Then we went to vailankanni the famous shrine.

The next day we went to via and Nagore. We saw the "Astronomical" Research Centre there. We stayed at the TB called "LE-cafe" that night. At midnight 1.30 be started our Cycle journey. We visited the Annamalai Anniversary and prayed at Lord Nataraja's Temple at Chidambaram. We had our lunch at Cuddalore and reached for the welfare of all, in the evening. The beach was a beauty and an ideal place for mediation. We lost ourselves in the beauty of the natural surroundings of the "Aurobindo Ashram". For the previous four days the Sun God was blessing us all the way with warmth and energy. Then the Rain God began to shower his blessings on us in a clam cool manner.

We went to Matri Mandir in 'Auro Ville’ the next day. It is an international city, where a lot of foreigners live in unity. Then we went to Mamallapuram via Chengalput where the sculptors have breathed life into the rocks during Pallava Kings Rule. There we went to Madras. At Madras we had visited places like 'Anna University' Gandhi Mandapam, Snakepark, and Harbour. Planetarium and the Naval Ship named 'Vikram' and the Zoo was a feast to our eyes. Next morning we went to Virudhachalam via Tindivanam and reached Trichy. From Trichy after visiting the Rockfort we returned to our Souther Cambridge of via Kallanai and Thiruvaiyaru.

The Cycle Expedition was really an eye opener and a new experience for us. The aims of NCC such as development of Leadership, character and comradeship were put to practical test. The cardinal principles of NCC like obedience, punctuality and hard work were inculcated in our flesh and blood during the Expedition.

Jai Hind!!!!!!

TN18SDA768906 CUO MOHAN KUMAR S SASTRA Deemed University, 8 TN Bn NCC, Kumbakonam.