Adventure on Ganga in India

It was in the ’80s a group of NCC cadets from Darjeeling reached Kolkata by a raft from Farakka. They prepared their raft by empty cans of vegetable oil, bamboos. The NCC Naval wing organised several expeditions this distance.

In 1995 14 members did boating by 3 boats from Maharajpur, Jharkhand to Behrampore, West Bengal, it was 5 days to cover 190 km. Nest year 18 members another attempt was  made by two rafts made of tire’s tube, bamboos, and straps and they covered 300 km from Behrampore to Kolkata, it took 8 days. Both the expeditions were organised by The Institute of Exploration, Regional unit Behrampore under the leadership of Mr. Debashish Bhattacharya.

All India Women team did rowing from Rishikesh to Kolkata under the leadership of Ms bachindri Pal. The Central Reserve Police also organised boat expedition from Rishikesh to Kolkata.

An adventure by three members from West Bengal Hiked and trekked from Ganga Sagar to Gomukh, Uttrakhand, it was in 1996, they took 111 days. A book titled “Pai Heta Gangasagar to Gomukh” (On foot Gangasagar to Gomkh) , writer Indranil  Sarathi, he was the leader of the program.

A big-budget program by powerboat  was organised by Indo New Zeland in which Edmund Hillary, President of Indian Mountaineering Foundation H C Sarin, ICS also took part. The Films Division produced a film titled Ocean to Sky.

Alternative dependable communication system in natural disaster, available in India

World Communication Day is 16th May. There are amateur wireless operators who are operating there systems 24x7. These operators give yeomen services to mankind specially during natural disasters. In India, the National Disaster Policy does not include such operators in their disaster mitigation as per the 2005 Policy. The matter was discussed during the Indian national Disaster Congress of 2006. During the Tsunami of 2004 Andaman & Nicobar Islands were cut off from the world, it was the Amateur wireless operators who were temporally operating there they contacted the World first time.

An Indian who was there in December 2004 was asking a media person based at Port Blair regarding their alternative communication system in case of a natural disaster (it was before Tsunami). He was not aware of such a condition. There was no permanent functional amateur wireless station at Andaman & Nicobar in 2004. But the various VHF/HF sets in operation by various agencies never thought that they may be functional after this disaster if they had an alternative plan.

Hut Bay, an Iceland of Andaman & Nicobar https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zznfq56_OCXg.kV881f9TT5QA

This Iceland was detached for a few days during the tsunami, 2004. I understand Bharat Sevashram Sangha of Port Blair went first to relief to this Iceland after this Tsunami.I had visited this Iceland after the Tsunami, the SBI Branch was much affected by this disaster, the branch and staff accommodation were at ground level and the distance is from sea line in normal condition is only 550 meters. These premises has been repaired but still at the same location and even at the same floor. It is difficult to understand why they have not shifted to an alternative safe place. The business area is shifting to higher ground.

I had an opportunity to discuss with the police personnel why there VHF set they could not shift to alternative places to communicate outside the Hut Bay? They have never thought of such a situation. I am not sure are they equip in present day? The authority of the Governments may think satellite phones may be the answer to such situations. My question is this service is free? Amateur wireless operators give service free of charge as a volunteer. Are we not welcome and salute them?

17^th May 2015