Defence Minister flags off Indo-Myanmar Car Rally
	13:36 IST

An Indo-Myanmar Army Car Rally from Delhi to Myanmar was flagged off by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony here today. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Antony said that this rally signifies closer Indo-Myanmar cooperation especially in Defence. Chief of Army Staff Gen JJ Singh and Myanmar's Chief of General Staff General Thura Shwe Mann were also present on the occasion. The rally, comprising 14 teams including three from the Myanmar Army, will cover a distance of more 8000 km and traverse over rugged mountains, dense forest and numerous rivers. The rallyist will pass through UP, Bihar, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur and enter Myanmar at Moreh. In Myanmar, they will transit through Tamu, Mandalay, Taungoo and finally reach Yangon. This route will acquaint them with a number of historical battle fields of the Burma Campaign of World War II, where a number of Indian Army Regiments had won their Battle Honours with distinction. At Yangon, a commemorative ceremony will be organised at the Taukkyan War Cemetery, where the Rallyist will pay homage to their departed Comrades with full Military honours. In Myanmar (earlier known as Burma), which was once part of British Colonial India, lie the mortal remains of a large number of Indian soldiers who fought in World War II. Their remains have been recovered from remote inaccessible forests and consecrated in Taukkyan War Cemetery, located close to Yangon. SKS / DM / RAJ