The Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing of Glory car rally, which embarked on its journey from Thoise in the Nubra region of Ladakh, reached Dehradun on 14 October 2024, after passing through Leh, Srinagar, and Jammu and Chandigarh. The Indian Air Force (IAF) -Uttarakhand War Memorial Joint Car Rally, aimed at inspiring youth and spreading awareness about the contributions of the Indian Armed Forces, was received with enthusiasm and warmth by students and scientists at the UCoST Science City in Jhajhra.
The welcome event was led by Dr. Durgesh Pant, Director General of UCoST, who, along with students from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Uttarakhand, greeted the rally participants with flower bouquets. The participants were honored at Science City in a heartwarming ceremony celebrating their mission.
On 15 October 2024, the rally team took part in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the ‘Shaurya Sthal’ war memorial in Cheed Bhag, Dehradun, under the aegis of the Uttarakhand Sub Area. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), who joined the rally participants in paying tribute to India’s fallen heroes. Together, they laid a wreath to remember the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. In recognition of his support, the rally team presented a memento to the Governor.
Governor Gurmit Singh congratulated the rally participants for their efforts in inspiring the youth and raising awareness about the Indian Armed Forces' achievements. He expressed his best wishes for the successful completion of the 7000 KM rally, which is set to travel from Thoise in Jammu and Kashmir to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The Governor highlighted the rally’s potential to inspire the younger generation to pursue careers in the armed forces and praised the initiative for fostering national pride.
The Governor also flagged off the next leg of the rally from Shaurya Sthal, in the presence of senior military officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with civil dignitaries and political leaders, including Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
During their time in Dehradun, the rally participants visited the Indian Military Academy, where they interacted with officers in training, as well as Doon University, where they shared stories of courage and valor from the Indian Armed Forces, encouraging students to explore opportunities in the defense sector.
The rally is led by Wing Commander Vijay Prakash Bhatt. It includes notable participants such as Senior IAF Officer Group Captain Vinay Agnihotri, Everest summiteer Lt Col Ashwini Pawar, and mountaineer Major Swati, alongside thirty other warriors. The rally team will depart for its next destination, Agra, on 16 October 2024.
The IAF-Uttarakhand War Memorial Joint Car Rally’s mission is to spread awareness of the sacrifices made by India’s defense forces and inspire young people across the country to consider a career in the armed forces, showcasing the many opportunities available in this honorable profession. (PR)