Motorbike enthusiasts in Pune put on their helmets, hopped on their bikes, and rode around the city to celebrate the 72nd Republic Day. Blitzkrieg Riding Club (BRC) organized the R-Day rally that kicked off at Fatima Nagar and ended in Baner. With Tiranga flying high and proud on their bikes, around 250-riders rode around the city crossing Khondwa, MG Road, and University.

Sarang Kenjale, Founder of BRC, told TBC that they organize this rally each year, “To show tribute to the soldiers and (spread) helmet awareness… along (with) safety and compassion towards others.” Owing to the pandemic, he also confirmed that the number of people who participated in this year’s rally was lesser than the 2019 rally.

With bikers observing social distancing and using sanitisers and masks during the flag hoisting, the organizers say that the rally was in tangent with the guidelines for COVID-19. Sarang also added that the riders tried to maintain maximum distance from each other during the ride.

According to their website, BRC, ‘is a movement to empower bikers through continuous sharing of experience and learning by fellow riders… (who) stands for safe riding and (are) always eager to spread awareness for the same.’