A fresh early morning in the capital witnessed devoted participation of more than 115 women motorists for the JK Tyre Defence Wives Power Driver recently. Wives to serving officers from the tri-services of the Indian Armed Forces gathered at the ceremonial boulevard of Rajpath for a power packed flag off to the rally along with their other family members.
India’s tyre manufacturing giant and pioneer of motorsports in India, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, organised the one-of-its-kind all-women rally aiming to celebrate the spirit of the Indian Armed Forces and promote motorsport among women in India.
All the participating women motorists were encouraged and assisted as challengers by letting their husbands (who are the serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces) to take on the passenger seats of their vehicles as navigators for the said route course of the TSD (time, speed, distance) rally.
Padma Shri Deepa Mallik, Indian Para Athlete, graced the ceremony and flagged-off the rally in the presence of Mrs Madhulika Rawat, President Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA). Joining them was Mr Vikram Malhotra, Marketing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Limited.
The unique rally travelled through some of the most iconic locations of the capital city before culminating at Surajkund in Faridabad where the winners were felicitated. The rally was yet another initiative by JK Tyre to showcase the increasing power and strength of women and also to salute the indomitable courage and bravery of our Defence Forces.
Whilst speaking on the occasion, Mr Sanjay Sharma, Head – JK Motorsport said, “We have been creating new and exciting platforms to promote motorsports among women in India for the past few years. Today’s event is yet another affirmation of our efforts in that direction. It is heartwarming to receive such great response from Indian Defence families and the wives associations to this inaugural edition. We will definitely consider making this rally an annual affair as we go forward.”
The organisers played a pivotal role in bringing women into motorsports and year on year have been adding newer and unique events focused on women in their calendar like the YLFO Power Drive, JK Tyre Times Women’s Drive, JK Tyre Women’s Rally to the Valley, thus far.
When there was no such parameter set up for any participating vehicle, it would be wrong not to mention all the decked up participating vehicles which were seen in all the flair as a tribute to the ethos of the rally.
(The writer is a Delhi-based independent contributor to print and online publications)