New Delhi- 11th August 2019: To celebrate and cherish the spirit of our freedom, NGO Nehru Bal Sangh organized the 3rd edition of the glorious Jashn-e-Azadi ‘The Great Freedom Ride’ to rejoice the 73rd National Independence Day. The motive of this magnificent extravaganza was not only to invoke a sense of pride among the youth of the country and not consider the day as a mere holiday or vacation but also to educate people on general road safety measures.
The key highlight of this rally was 20 female super bikers from Eagle Riders and WIMA leading a convoy of over 200 Super Bikes like BMW, Harley Davidson, Ducati and Triumph who rose above their professional spaces and came together for the special celebration of our nation’s Independence Day with a road safety awareness message. Jashn-e-Azadi ‘The Great Freedom Ride’ flagged off from the picturesque Lotus Temple and concluded at Bel-la Monde Chattarpur after covering Ring road, South Extension, Moti Bagh, Vasant Vihar, NH8, Cyber Hub & MG Road.
A breakthrough to routine and mould which majority of the Indians follow, sitting at home or flying kites, Jashn-e-Azadi ‘The Great Freedom Ride’ was a site to behold with Indian Tri-Color fluttering on more than 200 bikes. It was ride of pride as bikers rode through the cities in a synchronized form waiving the Indian Flag celebrating the national Independence Day. The bikers were received at Bel-La Monde Hotel which was followed by flag hoisting ceremony, cultural programs and road safety sessions.
Mr. Ashok Sahota, President of NBS says, “We started this initiative to encourage more and more people to celebrate our independence, to not just sit at home watching TV and flying kites. I believe the celebration of our freedom shouldn’t be a one-day affair, we should be celebrating it throughout the year responsibly. Death toll due to road accidents have been increasing day by day in India, in the wake of this crisis, Jashn-e-Azadi is initiating a yearlong campaign along with volunteers from Harley Davidson Group who will be manning multiple red lights and educate people about road safety and traffic rules. We will also circulate stickers with slogans on road safety to spread awareness. I am proud of the volunteers from Harley Davidson Group who irrespective of their cult status amongst Indian youth have pledged to propagate this and I hope people will feel more responsible for their own and other’s safety.”
Suparna Sarkar, female biker from Eagle Riders Group said, “Freedom is our birthright and we feel it when we step out of our house on a motorcycle without any fear. We ride not to make a point that we ride but to experience true freedom from within that yes, we are free to do what our heart wishes to. As a Motorcycle Training Instructor, my vision is to see more and more women ride a motorcycle so that someday we are not seen differently but respected for what we do.”
Anish, one of the motorbike enthusiasts and a regular participant in The Great Freedom Ride says, “For me the meaning of Independence Day has changed from the last 3 years, Nehru Bal Sangh and the people behind this have made 15th August a celebration for people like me who awaited a national holiday to sleep in since the last 32 years. As an avid rider I feel that riding on 15th August and celebrating this day with Jashn-e-Azadi team has become the most iconic event of the year, we look forward for the day to unite and ride celebrating our freedom with the message we give to the entire world. I wish that in coming years not only Delhi but India will celebrate this day with much enthusiasm and get associated with Jashn-e-Azadi. May the glory of Independence Day be with you forever”
About NEHRU BAL SANGH: More fifty years ago, a group of class 6th students started Nehru Bal Sangh with the blessings of then Prime Minister, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. Over the years, that tiny entity has grown into a nationwide platform for youth, operating in 18 states of the country. So far, NBS has organized 29 national level integration camps in various cities across the country, including the metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, and Bangalore. As a voluntary, non-profit organization, our objective is to spread the values of love, compassion, unity, patriotism and National Integration.
