India-Nepal joint motor rally to promote friendship

Kathmandu, Feb 23: A joint India-Nepal motor rally will be flagged off on February 27 from Puri in Odisha to promote connectivity, people-to-people contact, and spiritual and adventure tourism in both the countries, India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae said here on Monday.

“The rally is aimed at strengthening Nepal-India people-to-people exchanges and to sustain the momentum following the historic visits of Prime Minister rendra Modi to Nepal last year,” the envoy said.

The first Indo-Nepal Friendship Motor Rally will cover more than 2,500 km before concluding in New Delhi on March 8.

The route of the rally will cover cities like Kathmandu, Bodhgaya and Lumbini to highlight centuries-old cultural and civilisation links between India and Nepal.

“This event is of great prominence as both Puri and Kathmandu are major pilgrimage centres. It also attaches great importance to the Buddhist trail, linking Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment with Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.” Thirty jeeps will participate in the rally.

India’s Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will be present at the closing ceremony in New Delhi, organisers said.

Both Indian and Nepali participants need to pay Rs.15,000 in their respective currencies as registration fee.

Rae said the initiative will demonstrate how physical connectivity is easy between Nepal and India. “Some roads connecting India and Nepal are not in good condition. The rally will help identify such roads and improve the infrastructure.”

He announced that two new bus services connecting Kathmandu to Varasi and Pokhara to New Delhi will commence soon. IANS