Bikers from Maharastra ride on NE tour, call on Governor

GANGTOK, 25 Sept: A delegation of around seventy two bikers from different parts of Maharashtra, riding under the banner of ‘Poorvottar Bharat Maitri Abhiyan’ [Northeastern India Friendship Mission] and as part of ‘Shasakta Bharat Abhiyan’ led by Dr Sandeep Mahind, called on Governor Shriniwas Patil at Raj Bhawan today.
A press release from Raj Bhawan informs that Poorvotar Bharat Maitiri Abhiyan is an endeavour mandated under the ‘Shasakta Bharat Abhiyan’, with the aim and objective of spreading the message of national integration, and honouring the martyrs of the north-eastern region, who have contributed in India’s struggle for freedom.
The team of bikers had started from Kolkata on 21 September, 2013 and arrived in Sikkim today. The team also visited Nathula today.
The group was accorded a warm welcome at a function organised in Raj Bhawan. During the course of interaction, Dr. Praveen Somani, president of the Rotary Club, Gangtok, made a welcome speech.
Thereafter, the gathering was addressed by the group leader of the bikers’ delegation, Dr. Mahind. He highlighted the objectives and activities of his organisation. On behalf of the entire delegation, Dr Mahind also thanked the Governor for sparing some of his precious time.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor lauded the efforts being made by the bikers’ organisation. He also stressed on the importance of national integration for building a healthy nation, and urged every citizen of this country to come forward and help in this noble endeavour. The Governor also applauded the will power and tenacity shown by the bikers team which included a few children and women for covering such a long and challenging journey.
Dr Sandeep Mahind and Neelam Bhosale were felicitated by the Governor.

Siliguri bikers on expedition to Cho Lhamu

GANGTOK, 25 April: Gangtok Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh flagged off a motorcycle expedition to Cho Lhamu (the highest lake in India located at 18,000 ft) from Gangtok this morning.
A 12-member team of Sky Watchers Association of North Bengal (SWAN) had reached Gangtok on Tuesday as part of their expedition which started from Siliguri.
“Our plan is to stop at every location throughout the route and interact with the locals and personnel of armed forces on how they contribute to keep the sky, and thus the environment, clean and green,” Santanu Chowdhary, the team leader told the reporters.
SWAN has been engaged in popularizing astronomy and allied sciences since 1987.
“We also carry out special projects and simultaneously conduct sky orientations, sky observations. SWAN is officially affiliated to the confederation of Indian Amateur Astronomers,” Debashish Sarkar, a team member said.
He said the team will also update the people about Venus Transit, a rare celestial event that would be sighted on June 6, 2012 and again on 2117. The motorcycle expedition will pass through Mangan, Chungthang, Lachen, Thangu and Gurudongmar lake en route to Cho Lhamu.