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 main objective of the AICR is to demonstrate
India’s proximity to ASEAN, enhance public awareness of the ASEAN-India
partnership and further strengthen trade, investment, tourism and
people-to-people linkages.
The very first edition of the AICR
Rally took place
from 23 Nov to 06 Dec 2004 across 8 countries with a route spanning over 8000
km and included 240 participants with 60 vehicles. It was the largest car rally ever held in Asia in terms of
scale and duration. I had the opportunity to be a member of the Singapore team as
seen here at the flag-off venue in Guwahati.
We travelled across many rural
places in Myanmar. Our Rally Car was a Mahindra Scorpio (designated #42) that
proved to be fairly comfortable and, most importantly, reliable.
Packed meals were arranged in areas
where rest stops were unavailable.
Despite the challenging conditions,
the spirit of integration prevailed. Participants from various countries worked
together as a team. We made new friends and developed a better understanding
for each other’s culture.
8 years
later, on the occasion of the 20th commemorative year of India-ASEAN relations,
the 2nd edition of AICR took the reverse route by kicking off from Yogyakarta,
Indonesia, and headed northwards winding its way through 8 of the 10 ASEAN
countries before finally ending in New Delhi, India. The Rally was meticulously
planned and executed by the organisers from the Confederation of Indian
Industry and AutoCar. This time round, all participants unanimously agreed that
the 2nd edition of AICR was an immeasurable success.
