Media Release
Udupi, Oct 10: Seventy-two naval cadets of the NCC from Karnataka and Goa made history today as they set sail on open sea from Malpe Port, Udupi, on a voyage to Mangaluru as part of the All India “Ocean Sailing Expedition – MENU (Most Enterprising Naval Unit) 2025” Trophy.
The expedition was ceremonially launched by Air Commodore S?B Arunkumar, VSM, deputy director general of NCC Karnataka and Goa Directorate, along with his wife Vinitha Arunkumar, from the Malpe Tourism Jetty in Udupi district. After the launch, the chief guest extended his best wishes to the cadets for their adventurous journey along the Indian Ocean, covering the picturesque Karavali coastline from Udupi to Mangaluru and back.
Air Commodore Arunkumar and his wife were received by camp commandant Commander Ashwin M Rao, while Colonel Viraj Kamath, group commander of NCC Mangaluru, graced the occasion as guest of honour. The event was also attended by Shankar Nataraj, CFO of Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), and M Ambalvanan, deputy general manager, UCSL.
In his briefing to the chief guest, Commander Rao outlined an overview of the ongoing camp, which combines rigorous training in seamanship, safety drills, river and open sea navigation, trekking, and various cultural and heritage visits organised across Udupi district.
He highlighted numerous Social Service and Community Development (SSCD) initiatives conducted on the sidelines of the camp, including beach clean-up drives, statue cleaning, drug awareness route marches, health awareness workshops, and educational sessions conducted by recruitment officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
“The mission is not only about competition,” said Cdr Rao. “It is about nurturing leadership, teamwork, resilience, and sea-sense among the youth.”
A fleet of three 27-foot DK Whaler Class boats, accompanied by dedicated safety vessels, is being deployed for the expedition. In a move that underscores the NCC’s commitment to inclusivity, each whaler is manned by a team of six cadets—four boys and two girls—creating a balanced and collaborative learning environment.
The primary objectives of the expedition extend beyond sailing proficiency. It aims to provide cadets with hands-on experience in wind-powered navigation, while fostering self-confidence, teamwork, and instilling essential survival skills at sea. The expedition also seeks to spark a lifelong passion for watermanship among the youth.
The journey, which began on October 6, is set to conclude on October 15, with cadets successfully completing the sailing legs along the Udupi–Mangaluru–Udupi route, returning with a sense of pride and mission accomplishment.