JOIN USMara, who is from a nondescript village nestled in the forest range of HD Kote taluk in Mysore district, will venture out of her home for the first time.
A class 10 student, she is one in the team of 19 tribal boys and girls who will set off on an expedition to the Himalayan region on April 25.
The students from Bandipur and Nagarhole regions met Governor H R Bhardwaj in the City on Wednesday, before leaving to the expedition.
Mara who has just finished her Class 10 exams shares her excitement thus: “ Leaving the threshold of our village and entering the City is a new experience. I am very excited about the expedition and eager to see new places.”
This tribal girl wants to become a forest officer and serve her people.
International Academy of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, as part of its efforts to empower the tribal youth, has initiated Udaan-2013. Under the initiative, all the 20 tribal children from the Viveka Tribal Centre of Learning at Hosahalli in H D Kote have been chosen for the trekking expedition to the Himalayan region.
The children will be accompanied by four of their teachers and 18 amateur trekkers from Mysore. The Academy has made a budgetary allocation of Rs nine lakhs for the expedition.
“It is a great opportunity for all of us. I am looking forward to explore the scenic beauty of the places on the expedition,” said Jayapradha (12), a tribal student.
Lauding the Academy’s expedition Governor H R Bhardwaj said: “ As a boarder in Shimla, I remember trekking upto the border of China. I know of tribal students from schools in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana who have gone on similar expeditions. And I assure it is going to be a great experience for you all.”
On the initiative, Shankara Subramanya N, a member of the Academy, who is leading the expedition said: “ A majority of these kids have spent their entire lives on the edge of thick forest range. This will be the first time they will be venturing out of their homes. And it is a privilege for me, on behalf of the Academy, to be leading such a team.”
The team will trek to Sar Pass in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, which is located at a height of 14, 200 ft. This will be followed by visits to Taj Mahal in Agra, Wagah border to name a few.