The 70-day-long BSF’s ‘Maitri Cycle Rally’ to commemorate the 50th year of the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war victory covering a distance of around 4,000-km along the frontiers of five Indian states culminated in western Mizoram on Wednesday. Maitri Cycle Rally’ comprising 13 cyclists of the Border Security Force (BSF) began on January 10 from the Panitar Border Out Post (BOP) in South Bengal.
The day coincides with the celebrations of the 101st birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is called the “Father of the Nation” in Bangladesh. BSF Spokesman Ashok Kumar said that such a ‘Maitri Cycle Rally’ was organised for the first time to promote and strengthen the bonds of friendship and to enhance the cooperation and trust between the BSF and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB). The ‘Maitri Cycle Rally’ ended at Silkore BOP in western Mizoram on Wednesday. During the 70-day journey, the 13 cyclists of the BSF were welcomed by the BGB officials, border residents and school students in many places all along the borders of India and Bangladesh. The grand closing ceremony of the event was held at Silkore Border Outpost in Mizoram on Wednesday.
The Tripura government has also developed a big memorial and park at the border village of Chottakhola — 132 km south of Agartala — in memory of the Indian soldiers and Bangladeshi freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the liberation war. Five Indian states — West Bengal (2,216 km), Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Mizoram (318 km) and Assam (263 km) — share 4,096 km long borders with Bangladesh.
