Indian Army Fans on 11-day bike expedition to celebrate Vijay Diwas | 40 bikers from across India part of 'Mission Kargil 2013'

Photo for representative purpose only. Courtesy: Srikant Vijayan

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: Forty bikers from across the country are warming up to undertake a unique 11-day bike expedition to Kargil with the mission to celebrate Vijay Diwas (July 26) along with the Indian Army. The expedition christened -- 'Mission Kargil 2013: Trail the Path of Heroes – will begin from Rezang La War Memorial, Sector 23 Gurgaon on July 19 and end in New Delhi on July 30. The bikers will cover 3,000 km spreading goodwill messages of Indian Army.
Mission Kargil 2013 is being organised by Indian Army Fans, the largest online fan base of Indian Army, with over 1.4 million followers. Speaking to Express from Delhi, Krish Yadav, one of the organisers of the expedition said that the Indian Army has extended partial support for the bikers. “Earlier we had conducted the Delhi Run and this is our first bike expedition. There are female riders too, who have come to express their support to the Indian Army. Out of the 40 bikers, six are from south India, including two from Bangalore. This is a self-financed mission and we have taken all precautions to ensure the safety of the riders,” Krish said.
Most of the bikers are between the age group of 22-40 and it is their love for adventure and passion towards the Indian Army that got them together on this mission. “On Kargil Diwas, we will pay homage to the martyrs and enroute we will call on Kargil War heroes. All bikers will be on Royal Enfields and Capt Navin Gulia will lead the team. We want to reiterate that our armed forces, especially the Indian Army, will always remain as our role models for generations to come. It is their ultimate sacrifices that will continue to inspire us, as we take this nation forward,” Krish said. The progress of the expedition will be updated on the Indian Army Fans FB page: https://www.facebook.com/ProudFans.
Forty-year-old Jagadeesh Varati, production manager with Travelo City, Bangalore, has been hitting the elliptical trainer for the last one month, gearing up for the mission. “This is for the first time I am part of such an adventurous trip. I picked up all paraphernalia for the trip to ensure safety and will land in Delhi on Friday morning,” Jagadeesh said.
Similarly, Gaurav Tomar, assistant professor, mechanical engineering department, IISc, Bangalore, said that the expedition will be one of the toughest he has undertaken so far. “I have been conditioning my body for the last two weeks. Fitness is the key and I have been strengthening my back and working on my stamina as well, so as to go the distance. These opportunities come rarely,” said 32-year-old Gaurav, hailing from Uttar Pradesh.

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