Life is either a great adventure or nothing, said author-activist Helen Keller.

So, gear up thrill junkies, the Jharkhand chapter of Youth Hostels Association of India brings you an action-packed annual calendar.

To begin with, biking and hiking expeditions to Saranda's Kiriburu range (West Singhbhum) have been planned for later this year (dates tentative), along with trekking on the picturesque Parasnath Hills (Giridih) and winter rock climbing in Morabadi (Ranchi).

Association officials said that though trekking in Dalma was conducted in the past, the number of days and diversity of events would increase this year to suit interested participants from every age group.

Nationally, the outfit has included monsoon trekking in Goa, tentatively from July 25 to 30, and a desert expedition in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, the dates of which are yet to be announced.

"We are drawing up some more activities within and outside the state to boost participation and overhaul the image of our Jharkhand chapter. There is a lot of scope for adventure sports in our country. A decision has been taken to keep our yearly calendar packed with activities," said Shivendu Dubey, a senior official of the association in Ranchi who is also the general secretary of Jharkhand Wushu Association.

The Youth Hostels Association of India is a voluntary organisation that offers budget accommodation across India to its members. The association is an affiliate of the Hostelling International Federation. Besides youth hostelling, it hosts various capacity building and personality development programmes through sports and adventure activities.

Dubey said a decision to give an image makeover to the state chapter was taken following an executive committee meeting under their president Nitin M. Kulkarni, a senior IAS officer who is also secretary in the state agriculture department. "Most of our activities will kick off after monsoon. Rock climbing, mountain biking and trekking are likely to be held between September and January," he said.

According to officials, hopes for a state-owned youth hostel had also received an impetus following sports and tourism minister Amar Kumar Bauri's nod to their proposal.

"Most states have at least one government-owned youth hostel, but we don't. Recently, the sports minister agreed, in principle, to our request. He even promised land for a hostel in Ranchi or any other well-connected district. Currently, we have two private hostels in Ranchi, but there is a need to have more such facilities across the state," Dubey added.

Will you join any of Youth Hostel Association of India's adventure programmes? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com