The excitement and determination was palpable in her face as she braved the early morning chill to embark on a 300km tedious journey. For Shakila Gurung, in her mid 40s, it was a chance to rub shoulders with the best and become part of history and she did not want to miss out on the opportunity.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration on Tuesday flagged-off the first-ever four-wheel car rally from Darjeeling comprising 22 eager participants.
Gurung is no stranger to driving as she has been doing so for the past 25 years. However, this is the first time she is taking part in a full-fledged rally and she looks at it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Gurung is the only female driver among the 22 participants in the two-day event. “My husband Prabin agreed to be my navigator. I am confident that our team work will be great. I am feeling good,” said the 45-year-old resident of Mirik. “I also want to prove the womenfolk of the hills are no less than their male counterparts and hope we get more opportunities to participate in such events in future,” she added as she pulled up the car window to focus on the job at hand.
Gurung used to drive for a councillor of the erstwhile Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Presently, she is posted in Mirik and drives for officials on a stand-by basis.
The aim behind holding the car rally is to promote adventure tourism in the hills. “The idea is to promote adventure tourism in this area, which we hope will attract more tourists. We plan to make the rally a calendar event,” said Deepak Kumar Lohar, assistant director of the GTA tourism department.
The Rally de Orange was flagged-off by Darjeeling MLA Trilok Chandra Dewan from the Gorkha Ranga Manch Bhawan and will end in Sittong in Kurseong sub-division on Wednesday. “We decided on the title Rally de Orange because the orange fruit is synonymous with the hills. Further, we want to promote Darjeeling orange that is already famous in the country. As far as the ending point of the rally is concerned, Sittong is
the nerve centre for orange production,” said Lohar.
The event has drawn in eight drivers and as many navigators from various parts of the country who have participated in rallies held by the Federation of Motor Sports Club of India, the apex motor sports body. Fourteen amateur drivers from the hills are participating in their first ever rally.
Supporting the GTA is the Ramakrishna Race Performers’ Management Private Limited, whose sole aim is to promote professional motor sports in the country.
In the first stage, the participants will cover 170km to Murti in Jalpaiguri district via Sukhaypokhari, Mirik, Sukna and the Coronation Bridge. The route for the second leg will only be disclosed at the start-off in Murti on Wednesday morning.
Source: EOI
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| Rally de Orange flagged-off from Darjeeling |
Gurung is no stranger to driving as she has been doing so for the past 25 years. However, this is the first time she is taking part in a full-fledged rally and she looks at it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Gurung is the only female driver among the 22 participants in the two-day event. “My husband Prabin agreed to be my navigator. I am confident that our team work will be great. I am feeling good,” said the 45-year-old resident of Mirik. “I also want to prove the womenfolk of the hills are no less than their male counterparts and hope we get more opportunities to participate in such events in future,” she added as she pulled up the car window to focus on the job at hand.
Gurung used to drive for a councillor of the erstwhile Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Presently, she is posted in Mirik and drives for officials on a stand-by basis.
The aim behind holding the car rally is to promote adventure tourism in the hills. “The idea is to promote adventure tourism in this area, which we hope will attract more tourists. We plan to make the rally a calendar event,” said Deepak Kumar Lohar, assistant director of the GTA tourism department.
The Rally de Orange was flagged-off by Darjeeling MLA Trilok Chandra Dewan from the Gorkha Ranga Manch Bhawan and will end in Sittong in Kurseong sub-division on Wednesday. “We decided on the title Rally de Orange because the orange fruit is synonymous with the hills. Further, we want to promote Darjeeling orange that is already famous in the country. As far as the ending point of the rally is concerned, Sittong is
the nerve centre for orange production,” said Lohar.
The event has drawn in eight drivers and as many navigators from various parts of the country who have participated in rallies held by the Federation of Motor Sports Club of India, the apex motor sports body. Fourteen amateur drivers from the hills are participating in their first ever rally.
Supporting the GTA is the Ramakrishna Race Performers’ Management Private Limited, whose sole aim is to promote professional motor sports in the country.
In the first stage, the participants will cover 170km to Murti in Jalpaiguri district via Sukhaypokhari, Mirik, Sukna and the Coronation Bridge. The route for the second leg will only be disclosed at the start-off in Murti on Wednesday morning.
Source: EOI
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