Rev of Hundreds Of “Big Birds” Salutes Military Martyrs

A spectacle of this kind may never have been seen in the Chandigarh tricity before. More than 300 big birds – high powered motorcycles of the likes of Harley Davidsons, Triumphs, Indian Chiefs, BMWs, Ducatis, Benellis, KTMs, Yamahas, Kawasakis, Suzukis, Hondas and Royal Enfield – revved into life all at once near the War Heroes Memorial in Sector 3 on Sunday to participate in the ‘Bravehearts Ride’ for the Military. The cavalcade of 317 super bikes (far beyond the organisers’ expectation of 200) traversed a distance of 41 km through Chandigarh, Mohali, Zirakpur and Panchkula before coming to a rest at the Chandimandir cantonment to raise a pitch for the first ever Military Literature Festival to be held from December 7-9. The event is jointly being organized by the Punjab Government and UT Chandigarh Administration.

Coinciding with the Armed Forces Week being celebrated in India from December 1-7, the Ride began with a representative of the bravehearts laying a wreath at the memorial. Lt. Gen. TS Shergill (retd.), Senior Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, also laid a wreath on behalf of the Punjab Government, as an Army contingent from Chandimandir reversed arms in memory of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country in the line of duty.

A welcome cup of tea, and off they were, ones and twos at a time, leaving behind an all pervading smell of gasoline. As per last count 400 professional riders, including 10 women, some of them riding pillion, were flagged off by Gen. Shergill. Organisers informed the media that members of several bikers’ groups participated in the Ride, including Armed Forces Harley Owner Group (AFHOG), Road Rockers, Free Riders, Harley Owners Group (HOG), Royal Enfield Prium Cafe, Harley Davidson Chandigarh, Saddle Back Warriors, Team Mojo Mahindra, Prium Cafe (Royal Enfield), Indian Chief and Kawasaki. The Ride was coordinated by Col. NKS Brar.

Piloted and escorted by police vehicles, with an ambulance taking up the rear, the bike riders traversed the entire route at a controlled speed of 40 km per hour attracting curious onlookers en route. The memorable event came to a close with another round of well deserved refreshments at the cantonment.

Programme Of Upcoming Events

Audio Visual Shows:    5-9 Dec    Lake Club Area    7 a.m. – 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Akash Ganga Sky Diving:    5-6 Dec    Lake Club Area & Sectt. Ground    3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Band Displays:    5-9 Dec    Lake Club Area    7 a.m. – 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Equitation Tattoo (Horse Show):    6 Dec    Sectt. Ground    2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Motorcycle Daredevils:    7 Dec    Madhya Marg, Sectt. Ground, Uttar Marg, PU    3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Paramotor Display (Paragliding):    5-7 Dec    Uttar Marg, Madhya Marg, Near Lake Club, Sectt. Ground & PU    11 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Military Literature Festival:    8-9 Dec    Lake Club    10 a.m. – 6 p.m.