First battery-operated auto rally tomorrow at Panchkula

New Delhi, Aug 19 (UNI) On the occasion of Urja Diwas tomorrow, a first of its kind rally of battery-operated vehicles developed and manufactured in India will take place in Panchkula, Haryana.

The rally will be part of the national function of Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas - 2008 which is being organised by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA).

Battery-operated vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four wheelers, developed and manufactured in India will participate in the rally. This is going to be the first of its kind in India and will have a unique impact on the environment.

Another attraction at this year's function will be sky diving.

An Exhibition on Renewable Energy will also be inaugurated where manufacturers of renewable energy-based systems and devices from all over the country will be displayed in this exhibition.

Besides, a Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Half Marathon Race will be organised where runners and athletes as well as defence personnel from all over the country would join.

This half marathon will be of 21 km distance for men and women.

Handsome prizes have been announced for first three winners to the tune of Rs one lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 51,000, in men's and women's category respectively. More than 15,000 children from the schools of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula will participate in the various activities and will take Renewable Energy Pledge along with marathon runners.

Besides, mass rallies, formation of human chains, essay-writing, quiz, slogan-writing, painting competitions and debates, seminars and group discussions on renewable energy will be organized at state, district and block and taluka levels throughout the country.

Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas is organised every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on August 20 every year since 2004.

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