3000-km cycle rally to Delhi begins from city

SHILLONG, Sep 5: To commemorate 75 years of India’s independence under Centre’s ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ programme and promote the Fit India Movement, the Assam Rifles has organised a cycle rally called ‘Freedom Cycle Rally’.
Participants on board bicycles, on Sunday, set off on a 3000-kilometre journey to New Delhi from Laitkor here.
The cycle rally will pass via important locations associated with India’s freedom movement en-route.
As part of the rally, numerous interactions will be held with locals to include them in the spirit of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
The rally was flagged off by Lt Gen PC Nair, AVSM, YSM, Director General of Assam Rifles at the Directorate General of Assam Rifles Headquarters Laitkor here.
The programme was attended by Krishna Lahkar, 94-year-old freedom fighter, next of kin (NOKs) of freedom fighters such as Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum, MVC, Maj David Manlun, KC, etc., and others.
In his address, the Assam Rifles DG highlighted the role played by the force towards peace and security in the North East. Through various civic action programmes, the Assam Rifles plays an important role towards development in the region, he added.
As part of the flagging of ceremony, a pipe band display was carried out by the Assam Rifles Pipe Band, which played patriotic tunes to raise the enthusiasm and fervour amongst the participants.
As a mark of remembrance of the saga of bravery and sacrifice of our struggle for independence, the freedom fighters and their NOKs were also felicitated by the Assam Rifles DG.