Independence Day Rally

Today is India’s 66th Independence Day and a local Royal Enfield club called Cafe Bullet Goa organized a rally to mark the event. Around 35 owners of Royal Enfield bikes of all shapes, sizes and generations gathered under the Mandovi Bridge at 7:30 am. I was one of them with my four day old Royal Enfield Thunderbird.

We rode to the old secretariat to attend the flag hoisting ceremony and then rode our noisy machines through Panaji. Thereafter we rode to Candolim and visited an old aged home where we spent some time with the aged inmates. The members of Cafe Bullet Goa arranged for lunch for them and all of us spent some time in prayer with them as well.

As we bid adieu to the teary eyed men in the twilight of their life, all of us contributed and donated money to the organization taking care of them. But I think what they cherished more was the time we spent with them. I tell you, nothing beats the grip of a old wrinkled hand that refuses to let go of the person they are touching.

Here are some pictures of the rally and the short ride. Click the images for larger views.