The Brahmaputra Sailing Expedition — MENU 2026, organised under the aegis of the NCC Directorate, North Eastern Region (NER), Shillong, concluded with a grand flag-in ceremony at Pandu Port in Guwahati on Friday. The Chief Minister of Assam attended the occasion and formally flagged in the expedition in the presence of senior NCC officials, state Government representatives, Armed Forces dignitaries and other distinguished guests.
Organised under the Most Enterprising Naval Unit (MENU 2026) initiative, the expedition was flagged off from Biswanath Ghat in Biswanath Chariali on October 28. The 10-day expedition covered approximately 248 kilometres along the Brahmaputra River, passing through six districts of Assam - Biswanath, Sonitpur, Nagaon, Darrang, Morigaon and Kamrup Metropolitan - before reaching its final destination at Pandu Port.
A total of 100 Senior Division and Senior Wing Naval NCC cadets from 48 and 49 Assam Naval Units participated in the expedition, which aimed to promote adventure, leadership, discipline, teamwork and patriotism among the youth while celebrating the valour and legacy of legendary Ahom general Bir Lachit Borphukan.
The expedition was commanded by Lt Cdr Tileswar Nath, Officer Commanding of 48 Assam Naval Unit NCC, with Lt Cdr Mohd Farhan, Officer Commanding of 49 Assam Naval Unit NCC, serving as the Safety Officer.
The fleet comprised six 27-foot DK Whaler boats, supported by two Inland Water Transport vessels provided by the Assam Government, four safety boats from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and a rescue boat from the participating Naval NCC units.
Before embarking on the journey, the cadets underwent intensive training in boat pulling, sailing, navigation, seamanship, watermanship, river safety, survival skills and rescue and recovery operations. During the expedition, they demonstrated courage, endurance and teamwork while gaining practical experience in riverine operations.
Beyond adventure and training, the expedition also incorporated community outreach and social responsibility initiatives. The cadets organised Swachhata Abhiyaan activities, awareness campaigns and anti-drug drives along the route. Street plays and cultural performances highlighting the patriotism, leadership and military achievements of Bir Lachit Borphukan were also staged at various halts to familiarise local communities with Assam’s rich history and cultural heritage.
The concluding ceremony at Pandu Port celebrated the successful completion of the challenging river expedition and recognised the participating cadets’ dedication and achievements. The Assam Government, NDRF, Inland Water Transport authorities, and other supporting agencies were also acknowledged for ensuring the smooth and safe conduct of the expedition.
The Brahmaputra Sailing Expedition — MENU 2026 is being viewed as a significant initiative to develop leadership, self-confidence, resilience and a spirit of adventure among young people in the Northeast. By combining adventure training with community engagement and cultural awareness, the expedition also reinforced the National Cadet Corps’ motto, “Unity and Discipline,” and its commitment to nation-building.