The Golden Palm Bi-Medium Expedition which involved a simultaneous cycling and sailing expedition along East Coast from Chennai to Rameshwaram and back was received at a function in Chennai port on Wednesday.

General Officer Commanding of ATNK & K area Major General E K Kochekkan received the rallyists. The rally had been taken with an aim to spread awareness about the army among the people of East Coast by HQ ATNK&K.The expedition covered a total distance of 1200 kilometers and achieved a successful completion despite adverse weather conditions.

The cycling expedition was undertaken by two sets of teams and each team comprised one officer, one junior commissioned officer and 15 other ranks. The first team cycled upto Rameshwaram and the second team returned to Chennai as part of the expedition. Similarly, the sailing expedition involved participation of two maxi 77 yachts by a crew of five in each yacht.

A partial change-over of crew was undertaken at the end of each leg and this enabled maximum participation. The rally was held in co-ordination with the Tamilnadu Sailing Association (TNSA), Navy and Coast Guard. Participants of this expedition interacted with the civilians at every stage of the rally and motivated the young generation to a life of adventure and challenge and consider army as a fine career option.

Speaking on the occasion, Kochekkan said that spirit displayed by participants in finishing the rally successfully was praiseworthy. He also thanked the Navy, Coast Guard and TNSA for their co-operartion in this rally. Captain Abhimanyu Kadian, a participant in the rally (sailing), said that participation in this was a fine experience for them and sailing in the night was memorable.