Setting the stage alight for the much anticipated Military Literature Festival 2018, veteran bike riders on Sunday morning vroomed past city roads as part of the Bravehearts Ride that brought the pre-Fest activities to an exciting culmination.A total of 450 dashing bike riders participated in the event, further firing the adernalin levels amongst the enthusiastic crowds.The event, organised to demonstrate skills for disciplined and safe road driving, witnessed veterans of all the three defence forces steering spectacular looking Enfield, Triumph, BMW, Harley machines. The event was also designed to encourage participation from all age groups across north India.Adorning attractive MLF badges, the riders teed off from outside the Chandigarh Club and drove through the city to come to a stop at Chandimandir Cantonment.Flagging off the riders, Senior Advisor to the Punjab Chief Minister Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T S Shergill PVSM lauded the participants for their endeavour in disseminating the message of safe driving. Complementing the organisers for coming up with these novel ideas to promote a well deserved cause, General Shergill urged for more such events in the future.Underscoring the need to involve young students in all the events during MLF later this week, General Shergill stated that the festival was primarily aimed at invoking patriotism amongst the youth and give them exposure to the rich military history of Punjab.
He lauded Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, himself a military historian, for taking a personal initiative in ensuring the success of this mega event.Earlier, General Shergill laid a wreath at the Chandigarh War Memorial to honour the great sacrifices of the fallen soldiers who attained martyrdom in the line of duty. NCC cadets presented the Guard Of Honour in the spectacular backdrop of piper band, played by young students of Sainik School Kapurthla.On the occasion, General Shergill was accompanied by Major General T P S Waraich, Lt.General N S Brar, and Lt. General Chitender Singh.The second edition of Punjab’s Military Literature Festival (MLF), to be held in the city from December 7 to December 9, 2018, would witness invigorating panel discussions on various facets of the the contribution made by the armed forces, besides offering a rare insight into the culture and ethos of Indian Army. The inaugural festival held in 2017 had evoked a lot of enthusiasm among the defence and civil fraternity.Celebrated military thinkers, authors, historians, curators, defense experts from various parts of the country would be setting the stage on fire during the three day festival, throwing light on some lesser known aspects of the military establishment.