The 2nd edition of the
ASEAN-India Car Rally (AICR) was held from 25 Nov to 21 Dec 2012. Starting from
Yogjakarta (Indonesia), the Rally passed through Singapore, Ipoh, Hat Yai,
Phuket, Bangkok, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Pakse, Savanakhet,
Vientiene, Chumphone, Sukhothai, Hpa An, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Ka Lay, Kohima
and Guwahati (India). India Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Heads of
State of all ASEAN nations witnessed the ceremonial flag-down at the Rally’s
final stop in New Delhi.
The following is a daily account of Leslie
Chang who is the leader of the Singapore team.
Photos: Ernest Chua / TODAY
Delhi (R & R),
18th Dec 2012
The rallyists were ferried in coaches for a
sightseeing tour around New Delhi. Our
first stop was Qutub Complex where the world famous tower (Qutub Minar) stood
for more than 800 years.
We visited another
UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Humayun's Tomb. It is widely acknowledged that the design and
the architecture of this structure provided inspiration to the building of Taj
Mahal which was constructed 60 years later.
In the heart of the
Indian capital, we saw the India Gate monument.
We also came across
the majestic President’s House.
Back at the lobby
of our hotel, the Singapore team had the opportunity to chat with Minister for
Trade and Industry, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, who was in New Delhi to attend the
ASEAN-India Ministerial Summit.
The Certificate Presentation Dinner took place
at the same hotel. On behalf of the
Singapore team, Leslie praised India and the supporting countries during his
thank-you speech. To his right is the
rally convoy ‘boss’ Neerja and standing on Leslie’s left is Mr. Sanjay Singh,
Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Agra (R & R), 19th Dec 2012
With the new Yamuna Expressway, our coach ride
from Delhi to Agra exceeded our expectations as it was was faster and more
comfortable. This photograph (with Taj
Mahal in the background) was taken from the room shortly after we checked in at
Taj Gate Hotel.
In order to protect
the white marble of Taj Mahal from turning yellow, vehicles with internal
combustion engines are banned within 500 metres radius of the monument. Hence, alternative modes of transport such as
this horse carriage is a common sight near Taj Mahal.
In our case, we
were ferried by this electric powered mini bus.
The structure,
built with red sandstones, stood at the entrance of Taj Mahal.
As seen in below
picture, the top of the doorway mirrors the shape of India’s best-known
monument.
We were blessed
with good weather and clear blue sky during our visit.
Hence, most
rallyists had many Kodak moments.
On our way out of
Taj Mahal, we chanced upon another kind of electric vehicle.
And this road side
workshop happens to be a TATA authorised centre for pollution check.
Agra (R & R), 20th Dec
2012
The Agra Fort is
also known as a walled city when it once housed more than 4,000 people. It is currently occupied by the Indian Military
and a portion of the premises is open to the public, accessible through the
Amar Singh Gate as seen in the background of the picture below.
This fort has
double defensive walls which reach up to 70 feet in height.
It is one of the
numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
On top of Agra
Fort, the legendary Shah Jahan was said to have spent the final years of his
life within this tower which features a marble balcony.
Most importantly, it has a full view of the Taj
Mahal which is about 2.5 km away.
During its hey
days, the lawn seen in this picture was previously the Grape Garden.
The group took a
final shot before ending our visit to the fort.
We returned to
Delhi where we checked in Taj Mahal Hotel for the evening.
Delhi (Ceremonial
Flag Down), 21st
Dec 2012
Singapore Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs Lee arriving at Vigyan Bhawan (the convention
centre of Government of India) for the flag-down ceremony.
This is a group
photo of India Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, his wife and the Heads of
State of all ASEAN nations.
At 1100 hours, this
patrol car led the convoy of rally cars for a drive-past parade.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and leaders of ASEAN nations are seen here getting ready to welcome the rally cars. (Picture taken from www.aseanindia.com)
Rally cars from the respective countries were lined in alphabetical order. The ASEAN students who were in Delhi for an exchange programme were visibly spontaneous during the drive through parade. These students were seated across the convention centre and gave loud cheers each time a car from its representing country drove by.
Rally cars from the respective countries were lined in alphabetical order. The ASEAN students who were in Delhi for an exchange programme were visibly spontaneous during the drive through parade. These students were seated across the convention centre and gave loud cheers each time a car from its representing country drove by.
Malaysia Prime
Minister Najib Razak and his wife are seen here waving to their country's
rallyists.
PM Lee and Mrs Lee waved enthusiastically at the
Singapore car.
Here's a truly proud moment for the crew of Car
# 22.
During his speech, the Honourable Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh gave thanks to the “leaders of ASEAN for their active
support and the facilitation provided by their Governments for making this
Rally a success”.
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Samdech Hun Sen, representing ASEAN Chair Country, delivered his remarks at the
end of the ceremony.
The
long rally may have just ended but, for the Singapore team, a very special
moment awaited at the Red Fort. Read the continuing story at
