Zalie Neikha flagged off the motorcycle rally enroute to Imphal, Manipur at The Heritage Village, Kisama. The riders along with cultural troupes. Zalie interacting with some of the riders. Zalie with some of the senior riders.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Advisor, Youth Resources and Sports, Nagaland, Zale Neikha, on Sunday welcomed and flagged off the “Freedom Motor Riders” rally comprising of 75 riders as part of commemorating “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM)” at World War-II Memorial Museum, Kisama.
The 75 riders with an additional 20 crew and support team members from across the country are in a mission to traverse the length and breadth of the country as part of in commemorating 75th year of India’s Independence.
Earlier on Saturday evening, the team comprising of 10 female riders reached Dimapur, Nagaland, where a reception was initiated at New Field Check Gate, Dimapur, led by EAC Dimapur (Sadar), Nukshi Ao, after which a brief programme was held at Noune Resort, 4th Mile Dimapur.
Expressing his appreciation to the ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, New Delhi, for taking up the step in creating an opportunity to create awareness as well as for the states and the union territories to take part in the campaign, Zale also enlightened that the programme is part of commemorating “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM)” and also part of in commemorating 75th year of India’s Independence.
He said 75 small scale events are also to be hosted at iconic locations and document Indian heritages and cultures carrying a message of “Fit India” as a messenger of National Unity.
Later, the advisor hoped that the youths of the nation would gain a sense of national unity with harmony amongst them through the campaign and further wished the motorcyclists to have a save journey ahead with the privilege to encounter diverse cultures of India in different languages, costumes, foods and a sense of attachment with the people of the states and union territories.
In commemoration of the Mahotsav, the unique Pan India bike rally kick started on September 9 with attendance by the Union home minister, Amit Shah, and would culminate on November 24 after covering 34 states and union territories including six international borders enveloping a total of around 21,000 kilometers in 75 days.
Lone rider from Nagaland to take part in the motorcycle rally, Achi Ao, hailing from Longjang village, Mokokchung, Nagaland, shared that it was a proud moment for the Nagas as a rider to traverse through the remaining states which is included in its itinerary.
Already being covered 8,000 Kms and yet to explore about 12,000kms ahead of them to reach their final destination, Achi was optimistic that the remaining days would be more adventurous at the same time a platform in disseminating the message of “Fitness for All” and leveraging the theme “Fitness Ki Dose Aadha Ghanta Roz”.
Later, the riders proceeded towards Imphal, Manipur, as part of their itinerary.