Dhaka rolls out red carpet for SAARC Car Rally

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Dhaka virtually rolled out the red carpet for the SAARC Car Rally as it continued its journey on the third day after an overnight stopover in Dhaka. Escorts on horseback led the Rally through the streets of the capital while schoolchildren in hundreds performed along the route. The ceremony accorded to the Rally is rarely seen in Bangladesh, even for heads of states.

 

From Dhaka, the Rally stopped over at the National War Memorial at Savar. The imposing structure was built as a mark of respect to the hundreds of unknown soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation struggle in 1971. Specially prepared floral wreaths were prepared for each participating country and these were laid at the Memorial by the Rallyists of the respective countries. Coincidentally, the day was also the 88th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman, the leader of the freedom struggle and the founding father of Bangladesh, who was also the first President and then the Prime Minister of the country, with the honorary title of "Bangabandhu" or "Friend of Bengal".

 

Next on the itinerary was a visit to the Military Cadet College of Mirzapur, where the local administration had made elaborate arrangements to welcome the rally and its participants.

 

The Rally then crossed the longest bridge in Bangladesh and one of the longest in the region, with a length of almost 4 kms, over the river Jamuna, to continue its onward journey to Bogra, a cantonment town. Even on its third day, the Rally was cheered along by local residents and schoolchildren from every village along the way.

 

A great attraction on the Rally is also the members of the Bangladesh official team, all three of whom are well known, popular actors and performers. The husband-wife duo of Tony and Priya Dias and Mahmood Sajjad comprise the official team for the country. While Tony is mainly a film and television actor and has won many national awards for his acting skills, Priya is a noted classical dancer, apart from being an actress. Both are extremely popular in Bangladesh as is Mahmood Sajjad, who has been acting in theater and television and has been a radio anchor for over 40 years.

 

Sourced From: Confederation of Indian Industry