Chandigarh: A total of 20 students and six teachers from Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27, completed a 425km cycling expedition from Manali to Leh, navigating high-altitude mountain passes and rugged terrain in a journey dedicated to Army personnel serving in frontier regions.The expedition, organised by the school’s Cycling and Adventure Club, was flagged off from the school campus on June 9 by chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Chandigarh Kendra, Anirudh Tiwari and senior principal Vineeta Arora. The cycling leg commenced from the north portal of the Atal Tunnel near Manali on June 10.The team travelled through Jispa, Sarchu, Pang and Lato before reaching Leh. Along the route, participants crossed Baralacha La (16,040 ft), Nakee La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La (17,480 ft), besides traversing the More Plains.The expedition concluded at the Hall of Fame war memorial in Leh, where students and teachers paid homage to soldiers who laid down their lives in service of the nation.“The objective was not merely to complete a challenging cycling route but to help students understand the sacrifices made by soldiers who guard the country’s borders in extremely difficult conditions. The journey also encouraged endurance, teamwork and self-confidencce among the participants,” said Vijay Pal Singh, expedition leader and in-charge of the school’s Cycling and Adventure Club.During their stay in Ladakh, the team visited the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, toured its museum and interacted with Army personnel. They also travelled to Hanle and visited the Indian Astronomical Observatory, where they participated in a night sky observation session.The team returned to Chandigarh on June 19 and was welcomed at the school by faculty members, staff and parents after successfully completing the expedition.
