To empower ‘differently abled, 4th edition of para-cycling expedition ‘Infinity Ride – 2018’ was flagged off on Sunday from historic Ridge, Shimla by Himachal Pradesh Director General (DG) of Police S R Mardi.

The event was hosted by Border Security Force (BSF) Additional Director General Western Command, Chandigarh, Kamal Nayan Choubey along with his team of Officers and assisted by Aditya Mehta Foundation, an NGO for the upliftment of Divyang (differently abled) para-athletes.

The contingent consisted of 36 cyclists from BSF, and other CAPFs along with participants from Aditya Mehta Foundation. The expedition for the first time, witnessed inclusion of BSF Mahila Praharis (ladies) that exhibited inclusiveness and empowerment of women which in long run will act as source of encouragement for others.

The 700 kms route that took off from Shimla will pass through Narkanda, Rampur, Kalpa, Kaza, Chhatru and finally terminate at Manali on 15August.

During the expedition the team consisting of differently abled will exhibit the same grit and determination they had shown on the battle field and prove the stuff they are made of while encountering the altitude and tough terrain of the stretch.

An official spokesperson of BSF said that this event of Cycle Expedition is part of the activities which BSF undertakes for empowerment of the differently abled and BSF Director General K K Sharma has been the source of encouragement and instrumental in converting these endeavours into a policy which has also resulted in the setting up of “Divyang Skill Development Centre” (DSDC) in the year 2016 at BSF Campus Chhawla, New Delhi.

This series of cycle expeditions initially started with the association of AMF in 2016 which was from Manali to Khardung La and in 2017 from Bangalore to Hyderabad, he added.

In order to build this training expertise further, BSF has co-opted AMF that helps to train athletes with disabilities to pursue sports which is one of the initiatives in a series of efforts as nation owes its responsibilities towards the members of the force who sacrifice their lives and limbs during the course of duty in protecting the nation, said the spokesperson.