Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in collaboration with Divisional Administration Jammu and Surinsar Mansar Development Authority, organized a Bike Rally from Kala Kendra, Jammu to Suchetgarh via Surinsar, Mansar, Baba SidhGoria and Baba Chamliyal as a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ and 75th Independence celebrations.The main aim of the Bike Rally was to infuse the spirit of nationalism among the youth and also to promote the offbeat tourist destinations of Jammu region thereby projecting these sites on the tourist map.The rally was one of its kind as Baba SidhGoria, Baba Chamliyal and Suchetgarh are part of Border Circuit being pitched by the department.
The bike rally was flagged off by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar from Kala Kendra Jammu, While addressing the media, the Divisional Commissioner said ,“This is basically a tourism promotion event which will surely enthuse the spirit of nationalism among the youth of Jammu division as well and a team of 75 bikers will travel along the serene lakes of Surinsar and Mansar before reaching the Border Tourist Destinations i.e Baba SidhGoria, Baba Chamliyal and finally Suchetgarh rekindling the spirit of courage and adventure as well as spreading awareness for ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan ‘among the general public to mark the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotav.
Director Tourism Jammu, Vivekananda Rai, while speaking on the occasion said that Jammu, being a tourist friendly region has a lot to offer to visitors and there are 37 offbeat tourist destinations of Jammu province which are being pitched to promote border tourism like Suchetgarh, Nowshera, Poonch etc and will indeed give an impetus to Jammu Tourism & attract even more number of tourists.The bike rally was flagged in, at Mansar by Guvinderjeet Singh, CEO, Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority who heartily welcomed the bikers. With the loud chants of “Jai Hind” and Tricolor flying high, it was an enthralling experience for everyone who witnessed the patriotic bikers passing by.
At Baba Chamliyal, DDC Chairman, Keshav Dutt Sharma alongwith Additional District Development Commissioner Samba, Rajinder Singh welcomed the bikers wholeheartedly. He congratulated the tourism Department for organizing the bike rally and urged the Department to organize more such events in future so as to highlight the grit and determination portrayed by the country’s brave soldiers and to pitch the glory of twin border tourist sites, Baba Sidh Goria and Baba Chamliyal.
At Suchetgarh, the bikers were received by Sunaina Sharma, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu accompanied by Abdul Jabbar, DDT (Publicity & Adventure). She reiterated that the celebration of India’s glorious 75 years of independence has been linked with this adventurous bike rally in order to imbibe a feeling of patriotism and simultaneously encourage tourists across the nation to visit Suchetgarh and watch the weekend ‘ retreat ceremony’ passionately. DDT Publicity also congratulated all the bikers for participating in the bike rally with high spirits.
All the bikers enthusiastically attended the retreat ceremony and a patriotic Cultural programme organised by the Department of Art & Culture, Government of India. Besides, those present at Suchetgarh were Amar Jyoti Raina, Deputy. Director Tourism, Jammu, Ambika Bali, Assistant Director Tourism, Katra, Sheena Sahni, Assistant Director Tourism, Jammu, Dr. Rajesh Raina, Tourist Officer, Samba-Kathua, and other prominent citizens of the area along with tourists who had come from other regions of the country to witness this grand retreat ceremony.