NCC Hooghly Sankalp 2026: 60 cadets sail 410 km from Farakka to Kolkata
Synopsis
Sixty NCC cadets set sail from Farakka's Lockgate Jetty on 25 September for a 410-kilometre riverine journey to Kolkata, navigating the Hooghly River over 20 days. The Hooghly Sankalp – MENU 2026 doubles as a floating classroom, combining maritime training with community outreach at seven stops and a 150-sapling green drive along the way.
Key Takeaways
Hooghly Sankalp – MENU 2026 was flagged off from Farakka Lockgate Jetty on 25 September 2026 .
60 NCC cadets from the West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate will sail 410 km down the Hooghly River to Kolkata .
The expedition spans 20 days with stops at seven key locations for community development programmes.
150 saplings were planted at the flag-off under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative in collaboration with Mithri Mitti Trust .
Cadets will sail on whaler boats accompanied by Navy personnel , facing rain, thunderstorms, and strong currents.
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) multi-district riverine sailing expedition, Hooghly Sankalp – MENU 2026, was officially flagged off on Friday, 25 September 2026, from the Farakka Lockgate Jetty in West Bengal. The annual expedition will see 60 selected cadets from the West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate sail 410 kilometres down the Hooghly River to Kolkata over the next 20 days.
The Flag-Off Ceremony
Major General APS Chahal, Additional Director General, West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate, NCC, officially flagged off the expedition in the presence of several civil-military dignitaries. In his address, Maj Gen Chahal described the expedition as more than a traditional sailing journey, calling it a 'floating classroom' where cadets will master maritime skills, build character, and foster leadership and teamwork. The ceremony was held with full fanfare at the Farakka Lockgate Jetty.
Route, Scale, and Challenges
The young sailors — comprising both boys and girls — will navigate the Hooghly River aboard whaler boats, each accompanied by Navy personnel to guide and assist them as required. The 410-kilometre journey will include stops at seven key locations, where the cadets will take part in community development and social outreach programmes. According to an official, the cadets will learn 'boat-handling skills, navigation techniques and how to work as a team,' with greater coordination demanded because these are sailboats. The route also exposes them to rain, thunderstorms, and strong river currents.
Community Outreach and Environmental Drive
During shore visits, NCC cadets will interact with local communities, participate in cultural events, and spread awareness on issues of national integration. As part of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, participants planted 150 saplings at the flag-off ceremony, blending adventure with active environmental conservation. The green drive was conducted in collaboration with Sanjay Jaisingh, founder of Mithri Mitti Trust.
What This Expedition Represents
The Hooghly Sankalp is an annual tradition for the NCC's West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate, using river expeditions as a vehicle for holistic cadet development. This edition underscores the NCC's dual mandate of military training and civic engagement, with cadets expected to return not only with sharper nautical skills but also a deeper understanding of local culture and community responsibility. The ADG commended the naval NCC units for their meticulous planning and exceptional coordination in organising the expedition.
Point of View
Stopping to plant saplings and talk to villagers, is a more durable kind of national integration than any classroom exercise. That said, the expedition's annual repetition raises a quiet question: are outcomes — navigation certifications, community project follow-through, environmental measurables — being tracked and published, or does the programme exist primarily as institutional showcase? Answering that would sharpen both the NCC's credibility and the cadet experience.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCC Hooghly Sankalp – MENU 2026 expedition?
It is an annual multi-district riverine sailing expedition organised by the NCC's West Bengal and Sikkim Directorate, in which 60 selected cadets sail 410 kilometres down the Hooghly River from Farakka to Kolkata over 20 days. The expedition combines maritime skills training with community outreach and environmental programmes.
When and where was the expedition flagged off?
The expedition was flagged off on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Farakka Lockgate Jetty in West Bengal. Major General APS Chahal, Additional Director General of the West Bengal and Sikkim NCC Directorate, presided over the ceremony.
How far will the cadets sail and how long will it take?
The cadets will cover 410 kilometres from Farakka to Kolkata along the Hooghly River over 20 days, stopping at seven key locations for community development and social outreach activities.
What activities will the cadets carry out during stopovers?
During their seven shore stops, the cadets will interact with local communities, participate in cultural events, spread awareness about national integration, and carry out community development programmes. They also planted 150 saplings at the flag-off under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.
What skills will cadets develop during the expedition?
According to officials, cadets will develop boat-handling skills, navigation techniques, and teamwork. Sailing whaler boats on a river with strong currents, rain, and thunderstorms also builds character and physical resilience, while Navy personnel accompany each boat for guidance and safety.
