Rodrigues flags off SAARC car rally for Pakistan

Chandigarh, Mar 28 (UNI) Demonstrating the underlying unity and oneness of South-Asia Region, the SAARC car rally, was flagged off for the next journey to Pakistan through the Wagah border by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Union Territory Administrator, General (Retd) S F Rodrigues at the Open Hand Monument, a tourist spot, here today.

The event was marked by a delightful show of tourism and trade-oriented activities and playing of song 'Sare Jahan Se Achha' by the Chandigarh Police Band. People from different walks of life participated.

Senior officers of the Administration, including Home Secretary Krishna Mohan, Finance Secretary S K Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner R K Rao and Mr Partap Aggarwal, Chairman CII, Chandigarh, were present on the occasion. The rally had reached Chandigarh last night.

Interacting with the SAARC Rally heads of different nations and other participants, General Rodrigues wished them success in their mission of promoting goodwill, harmony, tourism, economic and business cooperation and people-to-people contact between different SAARC Nations.

Narrating their experiences, the enthusiastic car rallyists were thrilled and excited with the overwhelming response from the people in different nations and the states of India.

The car rally had started from Bangaldesh with about 30 Tata Safari vehicles and over 100 participants and was scheduled to cover over 8000 kms traveling across Bangaldesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives over a period of one month.

This rally has been sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, member states of SAARC Nations and Confederation of Indian Industry. The event received technical support from different organizations.

UNI