Arushi in association with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and Dilip Buildcon Limited supported by Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, LIC, Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Aquarius organized “The 16th Blind Challenge Car Rally 2022” on Sunday.
The route of the rally was managed by Event Management Group- Genius. This year the rally was given a name by Gulzar Sahab- ‘Hamsafar' giving a message that we have to make all tourist places and other public places disabled friendly and include persons with disabilities with us in every way. Dr. Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya was present as the Chief Guest and flagged off the first vehicle and started the rally from DB city Mall, Bhopal. Vikas Mishra, CEO, Gram Panchayat was also present as Special Guest. The first car was driven by Aruneshwar Singh Deo with Navigator Nisha Ojha.
The rally moved through clear roads of Arera Hills, Bhopal Haat, Vyapam, 6 No., Nutan College, Bittan Market, 1100 Qtrs, Campion School, Shaitan Singh tiraha, Trilanga, Shahpura thana, Bansal Hospital, Chuna Bhatti, Adventure Zone ground Kaliasot, Nehru nagar, Bahdbhada, PNT square Mata mandir, Atal Path, Jawahar Chowk and ended at IGRMS. Enroute were check points to ensure, no-one drives fast, and all traffic rules are strictly followed.
The rally where the vehicle was driven by a sighted person and the navigator was a blind person, the route map in Braille was given to them on the spot. The navigators for the rally were from all over Madhya Pradesh. The rally covered around 30 kms distance within the Bhopal Municipal limits. Throughout the route all road safety norms and speed limits were strictly followed as told by the event manager Neeraj Gulati from Genius- a Creative group.
All safety measures under the government guidelines were strictly followed. The competition was divided into two categories- 1. Expert class who have been winners in any of Arushi’s Car rally previously. 2. Novice Class who have not won any of the rally’s or are participating for the first time. Competitors finishing with minimum penalty points were declared the winners, as there was one penalty point for each minute delay and 5 penalty points on entering one minute early at the check points.
The prize distribution programme was organized at Vithi Sankul auditorium of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya. PK Mishra, Director Manav Sangrahalaya was present for giving the prizes to the winners. He addressed the participants and congratulated Arushi team and team Genius for successfully organizing this event. There were cash prizes and trophies for first three winners and gifts to all navigators. Total 30 vehicles participated in the rally. The navigators were from various districts of Madhya Pradesh. There were special prizes too.