13 bicycle riders are participating in this Cycle Rally. This rally will be completed in 66 days and it will be passing through the states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram along the Indo- Bangladesh border covering a distance of 4,097 Kms
Bikram Sarkar
The Border Security Force had flagged off the “Maitri Cycle Rally” on 10th January 2021 from Border Out Post Panitar (Main Pillar-1), 153 Battalion, Border Security Force, South Bengal Frontier, 24 North Parganas District and after covering of total distance of 4,097 Kms along the border, the rally will end on 17th March 2021, at Border Out Post Silkore, 60 Battalion, Mizoram & Cachar Frontier.
13 bicycle riders are participating in this Cycle Rally. This rally will be completed in 66 days and it will be passing through the states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram along the Indo- Bangladesh border covering a distance of 4,097 Kms.
Various programs have been organized by the Border Security Force at various Border Posts enroute which involved local government officials and people from the border areas who encouraged the cyclists.
The “Maitri Cycle Rally” reached Silchar on 13 Feb 2021 and from here will cover the area of 132 Kms along Indo-BD border from Border Out Post Balichera 01 Battalion BSF to Border Out Post Karkhannaputni 134 Battalion BSF till 16 Feb’ 2021. There will be ceremonies at ICP Sutarkandi where “Maitri Cycle Rally” will be greeted by Senior Officials of BSF and BGB before proceeding to Tripura. After covering the significant 817 Kms area in Tripura, the rally will reach Mizoram on 27 Feb 2021 and will cover the area of 440 Kms from Border Out Post New Amchurimukh, 90 Battalion BSF and will culminate on 17th March 2021, at Border Out Post Silkore, 60 Battalion BSF Mizoram to coincide with the birth anniversary of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Speaking to media IG BSF Dinesh Kumar Boora said that “The objective of this bicycle rally is to create a sense of security among the people living on the border, to enhance the friendship between Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh, to create awareness amongst the border population, to stop trans-border crimes, ill effects of drugs use.
The “Maitri Cycle Rally” would facilitate better Border Management on one of the most complicated Indo-Bangladesh borders. This rally would certainly be supplementing the existing mutual cooperation, coordination and the spirit of true friendship. To ensure peace, harmony and tranquillity of the border, the Border Security Force is determined to make this “Maitri Cycle Rally” a success”.
Bangladesh’s 2nd-in- Commandant Said Uddin said that “they are feeling very encouraged as BSF and India is commemorating Bangladesh’s Father of Nation Banga Bandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s Birth Centenary. It will help build the two Nations friendship stronger further and mutual respect to each other .” When asked about PM Modi is going to visit Bangladesh to be a part of their celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of Shaikh Mujibur Rahman and also the 50th Independence day of Bangladesh, He said -” Since independence, Bangladesh is very much delighted and grateful to the people of India and Govt of India, as they had a direct contribution for Bangladesh’s Independence. And they believe that the relationship between the two countries will be stronger “.
In the event, it is witnessed that BSF and BGB officials greeted each other and shared gifts as a gesture of respects.
