The historic Indian Air Force (IAF) and Uttarakhand War Memorial (UWM) car rally, covering an impressive 7,000 km, arrived in Bagdogra on 20th October 2024, receiving a heartfelt welcome from Air Warriors and local children. This iconic rally, featuring 14 Maruti Jimny 4×4 vehicles driven by Senior Air Warriors, Army Officers, and veterans, was ceremonially flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 1 at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.
Officially commencing on October 8 from the Air Base in Thoise, the rally is set to culminate on October 29 in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Along the way, the team is visiting war memorials to pay tribute to India's fallen heroes. This journey also commemorates the 25th year of Kargil Vijay Diwas, adding a significant patriotic touch to the event.
The rally team, led by Wing Commander Vijay Prakash Bhatt from the Directorate of Adventure at Air Headquarters, was flagged off from Darbhanga earlier in the day by Group Captain Raveesh Rakesh, Station Commander of Darbhanga and upon reaching Bagdogra, Air Commodore Manish V. Patel VM, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Bagdogra, extended a grand welcome to the team.
This extraordinary expedition, which now heads for Guwahati via Hasimara on October 22, aims to inspire the nation's youth through interactions along the route. Guwahati, known as the Gateway to the Northeast, will host the rally on October 23 before its final leg towards Tawang.
The car rally, embodying the spirit of "Vayu Veer Vijetha," brings together serving personnel and veterans in a unique demonstration of camaraderie, resilience, and honor for India’s brave warriors. (PR)