CHANDIGARH: Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit on Sunday morning flagged-off the much-anticipated Bravehearts Ride here, setting the stage for the annual Military Literature Festival (MLF) to be held at Lake Club on December 2 and December 3 dedicated to memory of martyrs of first Indo-Pak War of 1947-48.
As many as 890 professional and amateur bikers including veterans of Army, Airforce and Navy vroomed past city roads to disseminate the message of safe driving and drugs-free lifestyle, as an exciting prelude to the main MLF event. The Ride started from outside the ground abutting Punjab Civil Secretariat Mains and culminated at Chandimandir Cantonment.
Earlier in the day, the Governor also paid respects to the fallen soldier by laying a wreath at the Chandigarh War Memorial, in the presence of former Chief of Army Staff General V P Malik (Retd.), Former Chief of Air Staff General Sunil Lanba (Retd.) and Lt. General T S Shergil (Retd.
Two of the three living Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Awardees - Honorary Captain Bana Singh and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar - were also present on the occasion; besides an array of serving and retired defence Officers. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of the fallen soldiers as a mark of respect, with the all-women contingent of Punjab Police presenting the Guard of Honour.
Urging the youngsters to join the Forces and serve the nation, Governor Purohit said a soldier's life epitomises the sacrifices a nation is made of. "There is no better way to live an enriching life than serving the nation by joining the Forces, " he said interacting with young students of different schools present on the occasion.
Military Literature Festival has grown in stature ever since its inception in 2017 and has rightfully acquired the status of the most awaited annual Military Literature event across the Northern Region.
A joint initiative of the Punjab government, Chandigarh Administration and Western Command Headquarters at Chandimandir, the annual affair offers youngsters aspiring to join defence forces a peep into the discipline of Military life, besides laying an engrossing platform for discussions on issues of national, international and geo-political significance.
Lauding the organisers for inspiring the youth towards service of the nation, Governor Purohit said the growing popularity of the MLF is a testimony to its overwhelming success.
In the Bravehearts Ride, over 1000 bike entries were received which had to be curtailed by around 100, disclosed MLF Chairman General T S Shergill (Retd.), underlining the popularity of the pre-event. The Ride as a prequel to the Main Event has done a great service to spread awareness about the Armed Forces amongst the citizens of Tri-city, General Shergill added.
The Braveheart Riders were led by Colonel Rusnil Singh Chahal (Retd.) and included Thumpers, Saragarhi Foundation, and 26 other groups from across the nation with few officers coming down especially from US and UK for this much-anticipated pre-event.
On the occasion, Governor also released a 4-minute Announcement Film encompassing the exciting journey since inception in 2017. The film has been made by national Awards winning director Ojaswwee Sharma and will be played at the Main event.