The NCC Directorate Maharashtra flagged off the ‘Konkan Vijay 2026’ Open Sea Sailing Expedition, undertaken by the Most Enterprising Naval Unit (MENU) of the Directorate, a statement said on Monday.
The 10-day expedition, which embodies the spirit of “Swaccha, Sundar and Samriddha Konkan” (Clean, Beautiful and Prosperous Konkan), will see 60 Naval NCC cadets sailing 127 nautical miles along the scenic Konkan coastline. The team will make port calls at Ranpar, Ambolgad, Purnagad, Dhaulwali and Vijaydurg, an official statement said.
The voyage, supported by the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command and the Indian Coast Guard, aims to foster seamanship, teamwork, adventure spirit, and coastal environmental awareness among the cadets.
The expedition was flagged off by Brigadier R.K. Paithankar, Group Commander, NCC Group Headquarters Kolhapur, in the presence of Captain (IN) Jenish George, Director, NCC Directorate Maharashtra; Commandant Shailesh Gupta, Commanding Officer, Indian Coast Guard Station Ratnagiri; Nitin Bagate, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Ratnagiri; and Sundeep Krishna, IRS, Assistant Superintendent, Customs, it said.
Brigadier Paithankar praised the cadets for their enthusiasm and commitment, noting that such expeditions not only develop maritime and leadership skills but also instil discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of national pride.
The ‘Konkan Vijay 2026’ expedition reflects the NCC’s continued commitment to promoting a clean, beautiful and prosperous coastal region, while nurturing India’s future maritime leaders, the official statement said.