India-Myanmar car rally to enter Burma on Tuesday

Narinjara News
12/10/2006

Narinjara Correspondent,

Guwahati, Northeast India

The India-Myanmar army car rally, which was flagged off by Indian Defence Minister A K Antony will enter Burma through Tamu on December 12. The joint car rally, participated by the Indian and Burmese soldiers was launched on December 5 at India Gate of New Delhi. Visiting Burmese Army general Thura Shwe Mann and Indian Army chief Gen JJ Singh with other senior officials were also present at the flag-off ceremony.

"The rally is aimed for close cooperation between the two countries in general and the armed forces of India and Myanmar in particular," said Indian Defence Minister while inaugurating the rally.

Indian Lieutenant Colonel K S Chauhan leads the joint rally, organized for the first time between the two countries. The rally consisting of 45 members including 12 Myanmar Army personnel in 12 vehicles, will cover nearly 8000 kilometres from New Delhi to Yangon and back, said in a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing).

The rally that crosses through various states including UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Asom, Nagaland and Manipur in Indian side, is primarily organized in honour of 20,000 martyrs (soldiers) of India and Myanmar who sacrificed their lives during the World War II while fighting under the British flag in Burma in 1942.

After reaching their final destination, the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Rangoon on December 16, the participants will return back with the same route to enter India through Moreh of Manipur, the release added.

The return journey will begin from Rangoon after a commemorative ceremony at the war cemetery in the Burmese capital. The rally has reportedly been sponsored by General Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and J K Tyres.

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