By Venkatachari Jagannathan
Chennai, March 25 (IANS) The heroic horse ride of 22-year-old Rani Laxmibai with her young adopted son Damodar Rao tied to her back to Kalpi escaping the British siege of Jhansi inspires many even today.
Commemorating the 150 years of that historic 100-mile, 24-hour horse ride, the Pune-based Kinetic Motor Co Ltd (KMCL) is organising a two-wheeler rally of young women between Jhansi and Kalpi April 4 this year.
Speaking to IANS, Vismaya Bakshi Firodia, vice-president, communications of KMCL, said: “Jhansi Rani’s legacy of valour continues to inspire India’s young women to believe in themselves and strive for achievement.”
Kinetic will re-enact the historic ride of Rani Laxmibai with a group of young women riding its bike Kinetic Flyte.
This time too the 100-mile ride will be adventurous, given the rough terrain.
According to Bakshi, around 300 women have applied to take part. About 30-40 riders will be selected.
“The young girls of today are smart and confident and are not cute and frivolous and the event would prove that,” she added.
The selected riders would be trained by David Bam, an auto journalist.
There will be no pillion riders for the Modern Jhansi Ranis except perhaps their own backpack.
According to Bakshi, the participation of the vehicle’s brand ambassador actor Bipasha Basu is doubtful.
KMCL, which launched the 125cc scooter Kinetic Flyte last year in association with SYM, Korea, has sold 12,000 units till date.
“The sales are in line with our expectations,” Bakshi said.