Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), MoP&NG, flags-off IndianOil - sponsored Pathfinders Motorbike Expedition
New Delhi 09-Sep-2015
Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge),
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is flagging off Motorbike
Expedition -Clean Himalaya Campaign 2015 from IndianOil
Retail Outlet, Jungpura, New Delhi in the presence of
Mr Verghese Cherian, Director (HR), IndianOil.
Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG), flagged off the IndianOil - sponsored motorbike expedition of Pathfinders to the Himalayas today in the presence of Mr. Verghese Cherian, Director (Human Resources), Indian Oil Corporation Limited. The theme for this year's expedition is "Clean Himalayas".
Addressing the gathering at the flag-off ceremony of the biker's expedition, Mr. Pradhan said, "I am very happy that the indomitable members of the Pathfinders are back again this year for another journey in their series of adventures on the tough Himalayan tracks. The theme this year is extremely apt as it is our duty to ensure cleanliness and spread awareness about the same in every part of the nation. The mountains are an integral part of our eco-system , both from the resources and tourism point of view and, therefore, it is important that we take care of them. These bikers have been doing their bit towards the nation and I would encourage more and more people to join this expedition and reinforce their commitment to India."
Talking about IndianOil's support to the annual expedition, he said "It is a pleasure to see IndianOil supporting such a cause. IndianOil is known for its pan-India presence including the Himalayas, and they have been providing the much-needed support and assistance to the people in the form of LPG cooking gas and fuels all round the year. Recently IndianOil’s Lotus Xangpo Memorial filling station in Leh, became the world’s highest altitude fuel station to be powered by solar power. I would urge Team Pathfinders to visit such fuel stations en-route, especially those located in difficult terrains, and see how these fuel stations touch the lives of the people and make a difference. IndianOil's support to this cause would contribute further towards the integration of the country, and I hope the Corporation would continue its commitment to such initiatives in future as well."
Addressing the guests, Mr. Verghese Cherian, Director (HR), IndianOil, said the expedition being undertaken by the Pathfinders group has a vital role to play in the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life of the citizens in Ladakh area. He further added that "It is nice to see that the Pathfinders team blends adventure with social outreach programmes. I believe that for the people of the trans-Himalayan terrain, these bikers are a good medium, connecting the urban and the rural. IndianOil has been associated with Pathfinders for over two decades now, and our collaboration is a form of social outreach which is invaluable in translating the philosophy of IndianOil to be in ‘every part, every heart’ and we would continue our support to the team in the future as well."
The expedition aims to spread awareness about environment degradation in the Himalayas among the school children in the remote villages of Ladakh as well as to reach out to the under-privileged in these inaccessible and hilly areas. The bikers' group will also undertake the 'Clean Himalaya' Campaign under the Government of India's Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, to address the emerging threat to Ladakh's fragile environment from increasing littering in the wake of a rising tide of visitors from all over the country and the world.
Over the years, Pathfinders has become a stakeholder in the development of the border regions in Ladakh, one of India's most remote and ecologically fragile regions. It's social outreach programme for children now occupies an important place in the local authority’s development plans. Its sustained programme to promote education and introduce computers in schools of these remote regions has started yielding dividends by way of reducing the drop-out rate among children.
