'Is that a road?' : BCIM delegates react on NH-37
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 28 2013: "Is that a road? It is so pathetic that I think it is better to ride on a horse than travelling in a car" .

This was exactly what one of the participants from Bangladesh in the BCIM Car rally retorted when asked about their experiences of travelling to Manipur through the National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) .

After Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh flagged off the car rally from Kangla Fort yesterday morning, the participants from the four neighbouring countries of India, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar were given a warm reception by Commerce and Industry Minister Govindas Konthoujam; MLA of Tengnoupal Assembly Constituency D K Karungthang, other district level officers of Chandel and local residents at Moreh's Trade Centre at 3.5pm.But it seemed the warm reception function hosted in their honour was not enough for the car rallyists to enliven their spirit from the bumpy ride they have experienced just after entering the territory of Manipur.

When media persons requested the car rallyists to share their personal experiences of traveling to Manipur especially through the stretch of National Highway-37 from Jiribam to Imphal, one of the delegates from Bangladesh retorted point-black, "Is that a road? It is so pathetic that I think it is better to ride on a horse than to travelling in a car (on that road)" .

The Bangladeshi delegates also pointed out that Manipur is still far behind from other States of India in terms of connectivity and development.

In spite of being travel-wearied, some of the participants were also seen interacting with the local residents of Moreh.

A couple from Great Britain, namely Karl and Sally even made a quick visit to Meetei Leimarol Sinnaisang (MLS), an AIDS counseling and rehabilitation center located near the Trade Centre and spent some time together with the clients.

Karl is the managing director of Tata Motors, which is co-sponsoring the BCIM car rally while Sally is his wife.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, the British couple observed that AIDS and other allied diseases are becoming a major social issue around the world today and it is very encouraging that some NGOs and philanthropist are working to fight against it.

The motto of the 3028-km BCIM car rally is 'building bonds, fostering friendship'.

When contacted in this regard, one of the key members in the organizing committee, namely Leone from Mumbai, explained that the aim of the rally is to strengthen friendship and improve trade relations among the BCIM countries.

"As a result of the car rally, it is most likely that some of the international issues might be settled over a cup of tea in future", Leone said.

Wishing all the delegates a happy and safe journey, Minister Govindas send-off the car rallyists from Moreh Trade Centre around 4 pm for their next destination which is Ka Lay in Myanmar.

Flagged off from Kolkata on February 22, the BCIM car rally would culminate at Kunming in Yunnan province of China on March 5 .

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