Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today flagged off the All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek ‘Aparajita – Parang La 2026’, a flagship adventure activity of the National Cadet Corps, in New Delhi.

The trek will traverse the 250-kilometre-long Parang La Pass, connecting the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh with the Changthang region of Ladakh over a period of 30 days. The trek is regarded as one of the country’s most challenging high-altitude trekking routes. A team of 28 Girl Cadets will be led by three women officers representing the three services.

Mr Singh termed the participation of young girls in the high-altitude expedition as a powerful testament to the courage, determination and growing capabilities of the women of the country. The Defence Minister said that such expeditions play an important role in developing leadership qualities, mental resilience, discipline and self-confidence among the youth. He commended the selected cadets for their physical and mental preparation, emphasising that the trek would be a life lesson for them in resilience, confidence and self-discovery.

The Minister also exhorted the team members to keep safety, the environment and interaction with local communities as their priorities throughout the expedition. Mr Singh said that the expedition would become a defining milestone in their lives and inspire them to remain ‘Aparajita’ at every stage of life.