New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The National Cadet Corps (NCC) has reached a significant milestone as its expedition team successfully scaled Mount Everest on Sunday.

The team included 10 NCC cadets -- five boys and five girls -- along with four officers, two Junior Commissioned Officers, one Girl Cadet Instructor and 10 Non-Commissioned Officers, a Defence Ministry statement said.



The selected cadets al novices were chosen from across the country. They underwent a strict selection and training process. As part of their preparation, they undertook a pre-Everest Expedition at Mt Abi Gamin. From this group, 15 cadets were selected to undergo winter and technical training at the Army Mountaineering Institute, Siachen Base Camp. After months of training, ten cadets were selected for the Mt Everest expedition.



The team, comprising youngest climbers with an average age of 19 years, soon became the centre of attraction and were noted for their fitness and discipline during acclimatisation training at various stages of the ascent. Sherpas of Nepal also praised the NCC team for their physical readiness and morale.



Despite facing challenging weather and terrain, the cadets successfully unfurled the Tricolour and the NCC Flag atop the world’s highest peak, representing national pride and youth power.

The expedition was flagged-off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from New Delhi on April 3. This is the third ascent of Mt Everest by the NCC, following previous expeditions in 2013 and 2016.



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