Such car rally will strengthen relationship- CM
DIPR
Imphal, Nov. 23: Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh flagged off India- Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Friendship Car Rally from Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal this morning.
Wishing the participants of the Rally a happy and safe journey, Chief Minister expressed that such a car rally would definitely help in strengthening the relationship between India and the South East Asian countries. He also said that this Rally would give a wide range of experience while travelling from Delhi to Moreh via Imphal and then up to the final destination Bangkok (Thailand) through Myanmar. He also thanked the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of DoNER and other Ministries of Government of India for supporting the Rally.
It may be mentioned that the IMT Friendship Motor Car Rally is piloted by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India with the active support from the Ministries of External Affairs/DoNER/Tourism/Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. of India. The Rally is organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Kolkata and Kalinga Motor Sports Club (KMSC), Odisha. The Rally was flagged off from New Delhi on November 13, 2016 and will conclude at Bangkok on December 3, 2016 passing enroute through Myanmar covering a distance of 5722 kms. The Rally team comprising of 76 members ( 62 Indians inclusive of 2 ladies, 7 Myanmarese inclusive of 1 lady and 7 Thais inclusive of 1 lady) reached Imphal yesterday. The Car Rally will be crossing Moreh(India) this afternoon and then enroute to Bangkok will cross Tamu- Kale –Mandalay-Nay Pyi Taw-Yangon-Thaton-Mayawaddy(Myanmar)-Mae Sot (Thailand).The Rally is being organised with the objective to promote regional cooperation and connectivity, and foestering social and economic integration. Business seminars, media conferences and cultural programmes are also going to be organised enroute the Rally covering subjects of mutual interests of the three countries on connectivity, safe driving, cultural bonding, business potentials, regional integration and the like.
The team leader Mr. Praveen Chandra Bhanjdeo of Kalinga Motor Sports Club of Odisha who is also a sitting MLA of Odisha said that the Indian team members are from 14 States and representatives of media like DD Sports, the Week etc are also taking part. 3 members from Manipur are also taking part.
Commerce & Industries Minister Shri Govindas Konthoujam, Transport Minister Dr. Kh. Ratankumar, DGP LM Khaute, Commissioner (Transport ) M. Lakshmikumar etc. also attended the flag off function.
