A team of roller skaters on an expedition to Kanyakumari from Kashmir interacted with students at DAV University and shared their experiences with them. The team comprising eight girls, four boys and eight supporting personnel started the Incredible India Skating Expedition from Lal Chowk in Srinagar on September 27 and propose to reach Kanyakumari on December 25. The participants are promoting national integration and environmental awareness.
The team which halted at DAV University was welcomed by the Vice Chancellor Dr Manoj Kumar on the campus. Applauding the endeavour, Dr Manoj Kumar said that the young boys and girls had been on a noble mission of integrating the country. The team was also applauded by the Registrar, Dr K N Kaul.
Speaking to the students, the leader of the team Soni Chaurasia said that their expedition would travel across 13 states, 100 cities and 10,000 villages covering 5000 km in 90 days. She said that the journey so far had been pleasantly challenging. She also elaborated on their mission saying that the team planted trees where they halted for the night stay.
They also planted trees on DAV University campus under the aegis of the University’s Department of Agricultural Studies. The Department of Physical Education of the University administered physiotherapy to the participants to facilitate relaxation and help them recover from any muscle-related injury.
The expedition through Punjab had been supported by an NGO Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat, said Dr S B Pandhi, State General Secretary of the organization. Various dignitaries including Mr Brij Mohan and Suresh Kumar representing the NGO were also present at the occasion.
The onward journey of the team on October 8 was flagged off by Mr C P Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education. A roller skater of the University Ankita skated along the team to give it a send off
The members of the team are Soni Chaurasia (leader and coordinator), Mansi Rai, Radha Pal, Supriya Singh, Ankita Sharma, Aditi Yadav, Hema Malini, Pushpa Bharti, Vivek Dogra, Sanket Dogra, Kartikay Chaurasia, Prakash (participants). In addition, Rajesh Dogra, Ajay Chaurasia, Shyamchandra Chaurasia, Madhu Chaurasia, Neeru Dogra, Kashi Ranan and Rajit.