The Chief Secretary Shrivastava flagged off the 1st batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathula from Gangtok

Gangtok, June 16:  The Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Mr. A.K. Shrivastava flagged off the 1st batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathula for the year 2016 from the capital today.

The 36 yatris (which comprised of retired Judges, Engineers and Bureaucrats) who arrived in the capital from New Delhi last evening looked upbeat and excited to be here in Sikkim and hoped to complete the yatra successfully.  

Before the yatris were flagged off, in a small function organized at Hotel Mayur, Secretary Tourism Mr, C. Zangpo welcomed the Yatris and briefed them about the Yatra on behalf of the Department.

Commandant S.K. Singh 48 Battalion ITBP briefed the Yatris about the security and medical with a visual presentation.

Mr. Kunzang Gyatso Bhutia, (Everester) from Sikkim, briefed the Yatris about the support facilities during the Yatra and also shared his previous experience.

Mayor Mr. Shakti Singh Choudhry who was one of the yatris last year in the 5th batch, shared his experience through a visual presentation.

The yatris who were flagged off from the capital today will cross the border on 20th of June 2016.

Before that, they will spend three days in various acclimatization centres located at 15th Mile and Sherethang.  

The flagging of function was also attended by the Chairperson STDC Mr. R. N Rai along with the officials and staff of Tourism Department and ITBP. (IPR)