India-Bhutan car rally, a 'long-drive' for friendship

Silliguri (WB), Mar 5 (ANI): The second India-Bhutan friendship car rally kick started in West Bengal on Wednesday.

Jointly organised by Indo Bhutan Friendship Car Rally Association and India-Bhutan Foundation, the main aim of the four-day rally is to celebrate the coronation of the new Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk.

"This event is a friendship event between India and Bhutan. On the behest of these two departments, we have come out with this event. This event is given international status by the Federation," said Kunal Banarjee, Chairman of the organizing committee of the rally.

The rally that started from Siliguri will cover a distance of 300 kilometres in the first leg. The second leg would cover 200 kilometers before finally concluding in Thimpu.

"Mainly we are beginning the Indo-Bhutan friendship rally to further strengthen the ties that we share with India. All participants have come here," said Thillo Wanchu, a participant of the rally from Bhutan.

Over 35 participants from India and 15 from Bhutan are taking part in the rally.

India and Bhutan share a historic friendship and India has been the nation's largest donor for providing assistance towards Bhutan's development.

India has funded all of Bhutan's major projects, including the airport at Paro, the Bhutan broadcasting station, the Bhutan-India microwave link, and all exploration, survey and mapping of mineral resources. By Tarak Sarkar(ANI)