Jhelum Women’s Cycling Rally was flagged off from Shaukat Ali Stadium, Baramulla on Sunday.
The fourth edition of this annual event was organised by Dagger Division in collaboration with Jammu & Kashmir Tourism & District administration, Baramulla and was marked by enthusiastic participation by ladies of Jammu & Kashmir.
A total of 105 women cyclists took part in the cycling rally in three age categories and cycled all the way from Baramulla to Kaman Aman Setu, Uri covering a distance of 67 kms in the arduos terrain of Jammu & Kashmir. The overall theme for the rally this year was “Drug free Kashmir”.
“We have been practising for almost a month. Now we feel all the effort was worth it. This is a great achievement and we are proud to be part of this spectacular event” said one of the young participants.
The District Administration, Baramulla alongwith J&K Tourism ensured the smooth execution of the event. Senior officials from the J&K Sports Department, Police and NGOs were also present at the exhilarating event and encouraged the participants.
The Chief Guest was Maj Gen Paranvir Singh Punia, SM, VSM, GOC of Dagger Division and Baramulla Brigade Commander, Brigadier Rajat Mohan Bhatt, PhD alongwith other civil & military dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The event offered an exceptional riding experience to the young women cyclists, weaving through the picturesque landscapes of Baramulla District. Set against the backdrop of the Jhelum valley, lush greenery & meandering Jhelum, the expedition provided participants with a unique opportunity to connect with nature while testing their endurance. The cool, crisp air & vibrant local culture added to the charm, making it not just a rally but a journey through one of India’s historic ancient routes that once connected Srinagar to Muzaffarabad. Cyclists were invigorated by stunning vistas & historic monuments enroute making this Cycle Rally a memorable event for both seasoned cyclists & newcomers alike.
The cultural show at the finish point was held at Kaman Aman Setu-the historic trade route between India & Pakistan, witnessed a passionate performance by the “Strings of Baramulla” band of the Chinar YUVA Centre. This was followed by a scintillating instrumental.performance, Bhangra and traditional Rouf Dance performance.
The audience was thrilled to see the popular RJs of Radio Baramulla take centre stage as the Master of Ceremonies. “It was a high energy programme andndespite cycling alsmost 70 kilometres, the young women were refresed with high adrenaline" said RJ Harleen.
Maj Gen Paranvir Singh Punia, SM, VSM, GOC of Dagger Division lauded all the participants for their unparalled enthusiasm, zeal & perseverance and praised the parents for giving their girls a chance to spread their wings. The event symbolized close integration of Indian Army with the locals and underlines its efforts towards promoting gender equality in sports & adventure, women empowerment, border tourism & continuation of cultural practices and values, while also guarding the nation’s borders & maintaining peace in the hinterland. He was glad the theme for this event has been chosen as “Drug free Kashmir” which is a threat we have to stop together.
Brigadier RM Bhat, Baramulla Brigade Commander thanked the district administration and police for their cooperation for conducting an Incident free event over 70 kms. A government official said " the interaction and coordination between civil authorities and the army in Baramulla is very high"
The success of “Jhelum Women’s Cycle Rally” has set a benchmark for future sports events in the region, uniting the youth of Kashmir in a display of exceptional talent, sportsmanship and patriotism.