Indian Air Force and Uttarakhand War Memorial Car Rally Reaches Bagdogra on its 7,000 Km Journey

The historic Indian Air Force (IAF) and Uttarakhand War Memorial (UWM) car rally, covering 7,000 km across India, made its way to Bagdogra on October 20, receiving a warm welcome from Air Warriors and local children. The rally, which was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on October 1, started from the Air Base in Thoise on October 8 and is scheduled to conclude in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, on October 29.

The rally, featuring 14 Maruti Jimny 4×4 vehicles, is driven by senior Air Force personnel, Army officers, and veterans, led by Wing Commander Vijay Prakash Bhatt from the Directorate of Adventure, Air Headquarters. The team comprises senior officers and veterans from both the Air Force and Army, reflecting a strong spirit of camaraderie and national pride.

Bagdogra marked an important stop on the rally’s route, where Group Captain Raveesh Rakesh, Station Commander Darbhanga, flagged off the team. Upon arrival, the rally participants were greeted by Air Commodore Manish V Patel VM, Air Officer Commanding at Air Force Station Bagdogra, along with the station’s personnel. The next leg of their journey will take the team to Hasimara on October 22 and then to Guwahati on October 23, also known as the Gateway to the Northeast.

The rally aims to inspire the nation’s youth by promoting the spirit of “Vayu Veer Vijetha” through various engagements along the route. As part of India’s celebration of 25 years since Kargil Vijay Diwas, the team will make stops at war memorials along the way to pay homage to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives. This unique rally from Thoise to Tawang stands as a tribute to India’s fallen heroes and a symbol of national unity.