Andaman & Nicobar. The non-stop 290km ‘Spirit of Freedom Run’ from Port Blair to Saddle Peak at Diglipur organised by Andaman & Nicobar Command was flagged off by Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, AVSM, ADC, Commander -in-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command on August 12 from Netaji Subash Stadium, Port Blair. The run is being undertaken to commemorate the 72nd Independence Day of the country and aims to spread the message of ‘Plastic Free Islands’ apart from encouraging the Islanders to ‘Adopt a Tree’.
A team of twenty runners comprising of service personnel from all four components of the Command led by Cdr Arjun Kumar is participating in the event. Kumar Swamy, resident of Dairy farm, Port Blair who is working in the HQ ANC is also participating in the run. The run started from Port Blair at 10 AM on August 12 and will reach Jirkatang by 07 AM on August 13, 18.
After crossing the Jarawa Reserve Area, the team will cross the area between Baratang Jetty to Kadamtala Jetty from 10AM to 04 PM. They will reach Forest check post II by 06 PM and continue till Rangat where they are expected to reach by 12 in the night. Thereafter the team is expected to reach Mayabunder by 04 PM on 14 Aug 18 and Diglipur by 06 AM on 15 Aug 2018.
The trek from Diglipur to Saddle point will culminate at 12 PM with the hoisting and unfurling of the National Flag. Locals who are desirous of joining the team in segments close to their locations are welcome to do so to support the cause of the Run.
A social outreach team is also part of the event and will be visiting 19 schools enroute Port Blair to Diglipur. They will address students and emphasise on ill effects of usage of plastic, and elaborate on how to contribute towards making the Islands truly ‘Plastic Free’. In coordination with forest department, the team will hand over saplings to the school children as part of ‘Adopt a Tree’ program of the Government of India. During the interaction, the students will also be told about the various career prospects in the Army/Navy/Air Force and Coast Guard.
