Veer Yatra – India’s military tourism to give citizens a peep into defence forces’ way of life
Summer 2016, India: This vacation attack a Siddhi king at Fort Janjira, defend Raigad Fort against the Mughals And ambush the enemy in military games. Embark on a voyage of military history of famous forts in the Konkan, with the Veer Yatra team of ex-servicemen. Relive the glory of old naval forts steeped in legends of dare devilry. Listen to fascinating stories of Maratha brave hearts. Spice up the tour with thrilling military games, delicious Konkani food, campfires at British era guesthouses, white water rafting, crocodile sightings and many more exciting adventures in the Konkan.
And this is just the beginning. For the 1st time in India, civilian tourists will get to see ringside view of Military life thanks to “Veer Yatra” organized by none other than the brave men who once worked for the military. Under the Aegis of 2002-established MESCO, Government of Maharashtra Undertaking, established on 18 Jan 2002 for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen, the Veer Yatra will be a fascinating world of India’s Defence Forces that are looked up to proudly by every Indian. The first-of-its-kind “military tourism” initiative in India aims at strengthening the emotional bond that exists between the military establishment and the civilian population.
Aptly branded “Veer Yatra”, the extreme tourism initiative by MESCO is a unique concept that encourages civilians to explore various facets of defense mechanism of the country and its evolution. It offers civilians unique opportunities to experience the thrilling world of heroic defence forces from close quarters. From War Memorial to Army Workshop, Defence Academy, Naval Base, Warfare Centre, Military Management Techniques to Art of War and Military Games & Survival Techniques, there is something patriotic to see for everyone. Veer Yatra will showcase the institutions that it is made of, including the Armed Forces Medical College, College of Military Engineering, Airforce Station, Military Hostels, various Regiments, Naval Aviation Museum, Military Museum and certain spots that would arouse intense patriotism such as China Border at Nathu La Pass, J&K – Pakistan Border, Military Post – Srinagar and a peep into the Border Roads Organization.
Commenting on the launch of Veer Yatra, Col (Retd.) Suhas S. Jatkar, Managing Director, MESCO, said: “While Military Tourism is a well-established concept worldwide, it has not been explored in a structured way in India so far. Military, its intricacies, heroism, security, wars and its intrigues are such a big part of worldwide history that they generate considerable interest in military sites. A military association is looked up to very proudly by every Indian and a thought of being part of the military establishment comes in the mind of every individual at some point in their life. Through Veer Yatra, MESCO aims to give the real-life experience to these aspirations – there is so much history, so much to see and so much to experience. As ex-servicemen, we strongly feel the need to promote Military Tourism with a view to inculcate sense of patriotism among the children and youth of the country. Indian Military establishment has rich physical and emotional heritage that is worth exploring by all patriotic citizens.”
He added: “There is another side to this whole story – that of providing meaningful and gainful employment to widows to our martyrs and retired servicemen. At MESCO our motto is to re-habilitate the human resource of physically fit, mentally robust, disciplined and proficient Ex-Servicemen in outsourced services for any public, private and Govt. organisations and thereby generate large number of job opportunities for these Ex-Servicemen. Besides, Veer Yatra will build the crucial bridge between military personnel and civilians, and it will allow the later to visualize how our military men negotiate inhospitable terrain and hostile conditions day-in and day-out to ensure that all of stay secured all the time.”
To start with there are nine “Veer Yatra” tours starting from Thursday 12 May 2016.
1. BANO BAHADUR – CAMP SHAURYA (AGE GROUP 10-13)
§ What to cherish: War Memorial, Army Workshop
§ Get ready for a tour of Pune’s military sites, organized to inspire our young students through the world of bravery of our defence forces. It nurtures in the young generation the spirit of adventure, develops team spirit and fitness, while teaching them to face challenges in a safe and secure environment under the watchful eyes of experienced ex-defence personnel. Witness the awe inspiring War Memorial and Army Workshop.
2. BANO BAHADUR – CAMP SHAURYA (AGE GROUP 14-16)
§ What to cherish: War Memorial, National Defence Academy, Armed Forces Medical College, College of Military Engineering, Airforce Station
§ Get ready for a tour of Pune’s military sites, organized to inspire our young students through the world of bravery of our defence forces. It nurtures in the young generation the spirit of adventure, develops team spirit and fitness, while teaching them to face challenges in a safe and secure environment under the watchful eyes of experienced ex-defence personnel. Witness the awe inspiring War Memorial and Army Workshop.
3. PANHALA ADVENTURE CAMP
§ What to cherish: Military Hostel, Kolhapur Regiment
§ This is an exciting trip to discover and enjoy the defence history of the picturesque fort hill station of Panhala. The adventure trip is organised to inspire our young students with a taste of the world of bravery of our defence forces. It nurtures in the young generation the spirit of adventure, develops team spirit and physical fitness while teaching them to face challenges in a safe and secure environment under the watchful eyes of experienced ex-defence personnel.
4. REFRESHING KONKAN
§ What to cherish: Old Naval Forts, Military Guest House – Mahad, Military Guest House – Alibag, Military Games
§ Attack a Siddhi king at Fort Janjira, Defend Raigad Fort against the Mughals And ambush the enemy in military games
§ This summer embark on a voyage of military history of famous forts in the Konkan, with the Veer Yatra team of ex-servicemen. Relive the glory of old naval forts steeped in legends of dare devilry. Listen to fascinating stories of Maratha brave hearts. Spice up the tour with thrilling military games, delicious Konkani food, campfires at British era guesthouses, white water rafting, crocodile sightings and many more exciting adventures in the Konkan.
5. GOA-KARWAR COASTAL TREASURES
§ What to cherish: Fort Aguada, National Institute of Oceanography, Signal Regiment, Naval Aviation Museum, Karwar Naval Base
§ Experience the world of bravery with the Veer Yatra team of ex-servicemen and discover the military mystique of Goa and Karwar. The romance of old naval forts steeped in legends of bravery, fascinating stories of valour in uniform. And the muscle of project Seabird, India’s largest naval base of the Western Command. Spike up the trip with Goa’s famous beaches, churches, temples, spice farms, wildlife sanctuaries and nature spots. Enjoy the lesser known facets of Goa and Karwar.
6. GANGTOK-DARJEELING
§ What to cherish: Military Museum, China Border at Nathu La Pass and Border Roads Organization
§ Veer Yatra Military Tourism on a tour of bravery in the icy heights of the Eastern Himalayas and their commanding heights in Sikkim and Darjeeling! Listen to stories of Indian brave hearts who defended our borders with their lives. Experience breathtaking mountains, roaring rivers, tea estates, waterfalls, monasteries, gompas and lakes. Come Live the bravery.
7. MOONLIT RAIGAD :: HISTORIC FORTS over a night trek under a full moon
§ What to cherish: Join the Maratha king and his army on a full moon adventure at Raigad
§ Experience the thrills of a night trek under a full moon and starry skies with the Veer Yatra team of ex-servicemen. Relive the glory of historic forts steeped in legends of dare devilry. Listen to fascinating stories of Maratha bravehearts. Spice up the tour with thrilling military games, campfires at British era guesthouses, crocodile sightings and many more exciting adventures.
8. AMARNATH YATRA with Helicopter Trips
§ What to cherish: J&K – Pakistan Border, Military Post – Srinagar, High Altitude Warfare Centre
§ Get the blessings of Lord Shiva with the Veer Yatra team, India’s bravehearts in uniform. Enjoy a breath taking trek to Amarnath at 5,186 metres (17,014 ft) in the midst of the lofty Himalayas. Feast your senses on scenic river valleys and high mountain passes in all their awesome beauty. And get rewarded for your bravery with the precious blessings of the God of the Mountains. Spice up your trip with spellbinding views, local langar food and hospitality, tent stays and helicopter trips.
9. COPORATE OUTBOUND PROGRAM @ MAHAD
§ What to cherish: Military Management Techniques, Art of War!, Military Games & Survival Techniques, Military Guest House
§ MESCO’s Military Hostel at Mahad, situated on a 3 acre property with old trees and on the banks of the Savitri river, with crocodiles for company! The hostel has been converted into a mini-resort with lodging & boarding facilities.
§ Mahad is a city and a municipal council in Raigad district of Maharashtra. Shivaji Maharaj’s Raigad Fort nearby, is a landmark of Mahad. Mahad is considered to be the land of freedom fighters and many revolutionary freedom movements of India originated there. It is famous for the drinking water satyagraha of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar for dalits at Chavdar Tale, which played as turning point in Indian socio political history.
All the nine packages come at subsidized rates starting from Rs 2150/- per person (2D/1N) and leading up to Rs 32,000/- (8D/7N).The tours are designed to give “as is” basis experience when it comes to living at Military sites wherein the facilities are not designed for 5-star hotel accommodation. There are certain tours meant specifically for children – Bano Bahadur Camp – in the age-group of 10-13 years, where young participants will visit and explore military sites around Pune and experience the thrill of a soldier’s life. There is another Bano Bahadur Camp for children in the age-group of 14-16 years, Panhala (Fort) Adventure Camp. “Our idea is to cater to the entire spectrum of tourists – be it school children, youth, executives or even corporate. We have developed ‘Corporate Outbound Program @ Mahad’ wherein a corporate can easily do a MICE event,” concludes Col Jatkar.
For tour enquiries, please call +91 8806063063 or +91 2067298018 or send email on [email protected]
About Maharashtra Ex-servicemen Corporation (MESCO):
Maharashtra Ex-servicemen Corporation Ltd. (MESCO) A Government of Maharashtra Undertaking was established on 18 Jan 2002 for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen with the motto of “Service with Discipline”. MESCO’s objective is to provide reasonable employment to ex-servicemen of the state nearest to their homes/within their district by undertaking various commercial activities.
