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Our Correspondent
Imphal, April 16 (EMN): A 10-year-old boy from Delhi has started a bicycle yatra (ride) from Manipur’s Moirang, where the tricolour flag of free India was hoisted 78 years ago, to India Gate in New Delhi, covering around 2500 km.
Arav Bhardwaj undertook the bicycle ride from Indian National Army (INA) memorial at Moirang, 45 km south of Imphal in Bishnupur district along with his father Dr. Atul Bhardwaj in commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, 75th year of India’s independence and the 78th anniversary of hoisting the first tricolour by INA.
To encourage the young rider, about 20 cyclists from Manipur Adventure and Mountain Biking Association and Manipur’s Doctors On Pedal joined the first leg of the ride from Moirang to Manipur state capital, Imphal covering 45 km on Thursday.
On the eve of the ride, Bhardwaj told the media in Imphal that he will pay respect and homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by undertaking the marathon bicycle yatra from Moirang to Delhi because it is the place, where India’s tricolour flag was hoisted on April 14, 1944.
When asked, he said that he learnt about the INA’s freedom struggle and Moirang from his grandfather, Mittar Sain Bhardwaj, who was once posted there. Dr. Atul said that his son has great interest in the stories of India’s freedom struggle adding that he is delighted to learn the cultural diversities of Northeast states.
The parents also claimed that Bhardwaj had been practicing for the challenge for quite some time. His grandfather, mother and other relatives will follow the ride in a separate vehicle during the journey.
Manipur chief minister, N Biren Singh accompanied by works minister Govindas Konthoujam, Water Resource minister Awangbow Newmain and MLAs flagged off the cycle rally, while attending the 78th Anniversary of Flag Hoisting Day at INA memorial on Thursday.