Trishna Millennium Sailing Expedition 1999-2000.      Man has always been lured by adventure to perform daring feats.  The Indian Army Engineers have been in the forefront of adventure activities in the Country, whether on land, sea or air.  They have been the pioneers in Ocean Cruising in India and over the years have firmly established themselves as Yachtsmen to be reckoned within the Country. They were the first Indians to sail Around the World from Sep 1985 to Jan 1987 on the Yacht TRISHNA. That pioneering Expedition captured the imagination of the Nation and put India firmly on the ocean cruising map of the World. The massive interest generated by the ‘First Indian Expedition Around the World’ and the indomitable spirit of TRISHNA was kept alive with Expeditions to Singapore and back in 1994-95 and again around the Indian Ocean in 1996-97.

The name TRISHNA had been given in 1985, when the yacht was acquired by the Sapper Adventure Foundation.  It means an urge to attain, to accomplish a deep-rooted desire.  This was partially fulfilled with the successful completion of the Expedition around the World.

To herald the new Millennium, the Sappers undertook an Expedition to South East Asian Countries from 29 Nov 1999 to 26 Mar 2000. The Expedition also carried Goodwill messages for Governments of Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

 The TRISHNA MILLENNIUM SAILING EXPEDITION concluded at the Gateway of India after touching the ports of Kochi, Male, Galle, Campbell Bay, Penang, Singapore, Port Kelang, Phuket, Port Blair, Colombo, and Goa during its 117 day long voyage.

Maj Sandeep Kapur, was the Team Leader and Maj DS Grewal, was the Deputy Leader.  Major Sumit Kabthiyal and L/Nk AU Babu were the other permanent members of the team, who sailed the full distance.

Balance of the team comprised of Lt Poonam Joshi, a lady officer on her maiden voyage, Brig TPS Chowdhury AVSM, Manager & Crew, Col AP Singh, SM(Bar), VSM, Asst Manager & Crew, Maj PS Dhillon, Capt S Banerjee, Capt A Karunakaran, Capt PP Singh and Spr Isaak.

Shahbaaz Multidimensional Adventure Activity. 109 Engineer Regiment (Rapids) organised a Shahbaaz Multidimensional Adventure Activity in Dec 1998. The Regiment created a record by conducting the maximum number of adventure activities simultaneously over a period of 12 days. The adventure activities included Cycling, Trekking, Rock-Climbing, Para Gliding, Rafting, Para Sailing, Water Skiing, Single and Double Kayaking, Assault Boat and Rubber Raft Rowing and Enterprise Class Boat Sailing. This Activity has been recorded in the Millennium Edition of “ Limca Book of Records” as an achievement by a unit to conduct 10 disciplines of adventure activity simultaneously over a period of twelve days.

Male Memorial Cycle Expedition.   A low cost cycle expedition was planned in honour of L/Nk BB Male of 109 Engr Regt, who made the supreme sacrifice at Kargil on 03 Jun 99. The Expedition commenced on 19 Mar 2000 at Pune and terminated at Sagar on 01 Apr 2000, covering a distance of 1290 km in 13 days. The Expedition team visited Village Pangaon, the native place of Martyr L/Nk BB Male in Latur District and paid homage to the individual. The team comprised of 01 offr, 1 JCO and 20 ORs.

TRAC 2000.  9 Engr Regt (Basantar R) undertook a Tri-dimensional Trekking, Rowing and Cycling (TRAC) Expedition in West Bengal and Sikkim from 28 Feb to 15 Mar 2000. The team comprised of 04 Offrs, 02 JCOs and 22 ORs. The adventure activities included 370 km of Cycling, 61 km of Trekking and 230 km of Rowing.

First Indian Expedition to South Pole.  The Corps of Engineers have initiated a proposal for First Indian Expedition to South Pole to be undertaken jointly by Indian Army and the Department of Ocean Development. With a view to carry out a feasibility study for this national venture, a team of two Engineer officers, Maj Anand Swaroop and Capt RR Bhat, were sent to Antarctica along with the XIXth Indian Antarctica Scientific Expedition. The recce team successfully carried out a route recce and found a land route from Maitri to Polar Plateau across Somoveken Glacier.  It is for the first time in the history of Polar exploration that snow vehicles have been to 72º 11’ S successfully along this route.

Trishna’s Silver Jubilee Celebration. Corps of Engineers are pioneers in the country in circumnavigating the globe on yacht TRISHNA from 28 Sep 85 to 10 Jan 87. To commemorate this historic feat, Silver Jubilee of the event was celebrated and a Sail-in-function was organized on 10 Jan 2012 at Naval Sailing Club, Mumbai. Vice Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command (present Chief of Naval Staff) was the Chief Guest for the ceremony.      

             Group Photographs of Team TRISHNA       

Women Army Expedition To Mount Everest.   Two women officers, Maj Neha Bhatnagar and Capt Namrata Rathore from Corps of Engrs scaled Mt Everest on 25 May 12 as part of the Indian Army Women Everest Expedition.

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.   Col Anand Swaroop, SM has been awarded the ‘Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award’ for his outstanding contribution and achievements in land based adventure activities.