Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: A group of 43 students including 26 girls of Shiksha Niketan Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar and Shiksha Niketan Senior Secondary School, Jeevan Nagar, Jammu including 6 students from other local schools left today for Manali to participate in the Manali Himalayan Trekking Programme, being organized by Tawi Trekkers J&K. The group is being led by Shashi Kant Sharma, a trained climber and senior member of the club. Four teachers of the school Sudarshan Singh, Satvinder Kour, Nisha Mehra and Dinesh Kumar also accompanied the group.
The group was flagged off by Kiran Gupta In-charge of Shiksha Niketan Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar in the presence of Secretary, Indian Mountaineering Foundation North Zone Committee, Ram Khajuria and Secretary Tawi Trekkers J&K Shawetica Khajuria. A large number of members of the club and parents of the participants gave them a warm send off in the school premises.
During the 5 days and 5 nights venture, the participants shall have 3 days and 3 nights stay at Manali during which they will visit the enchanting Rishi waterfall, the Manali View point besides a visit to hot water springs at Vashisht and the famous Hadimba temple. However, the highlight of this programme will be a thrilling experience of rafting in the Beas River. The trekkers will also have the wonderful experience of their stay in luxury tents with sleeping bags.
In the second phase of this trek the participants shall have a night stay at Chamunda where from they will visit Macleodganj, the Seat of His Holiness Dalai Lama, besides the beautiful Dharamshala stadium.
Students taking part in this Trekking Programme besides being explained the benefits of such venture in the personality development of a child are also taught to respect nature and environment and not create a clutter of left over in the jungles en-route.
The next group of trekkers of Oriental Academy Senior Secondary School will leave for the trek on June 7, 2017.