IMPHAL, Jun 19: Biking Queens, the four-member all-women riders’ team from Surat (Gujarat), who set out from their home town on June 4 last for a ten-Nation expedition to spread the message of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (Save daughter, educate daughter) was accorded a rousing welcome by Royal Riders Manipur (RRM) on their arrival in the State capital today.
Dr Sarika Mehta, Yugma Desai, Khyati N Desai and Durriya M Tapia have covered Nepal and Bhutan so far and they are set to travel to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.
Speaking at a reception ceremony organised in their honour at Manipur Press Club, team leader Dr Sarika Mehta said that their ten-Nation ride was flagged off by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on June 4.
The aim is to take the message of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the global level, she said.
Before they took out the ride, they discussed the tour and details of the campaign with the Prime Minister on May 3, she said and added that she is a doctor by profession and works for the cause of women empowerment and fights against child and women trafficking in various parts of the country.
She also said that they have taken up the task to make people aware about gender equality and to save the girl child in all the countries.
She stated that they are not doing it to get in record books or collect rewards but for bringing all the communities on one platform regarding gender equality, giving equal opportunities to women, reducing female foeticide and reducing illiteracy among women.
Dr Sarika further said that over 15,000 people gathered at the flagging off ceremony of their tour at Surat.
She said that during their stay in Nepal and Bhutan, they met the Prime Ministers and Presidents of the two mountain Nations, Indian Ambassadors and representatives of different NGOs.
Dr Sarika further said that they would meet NGO representatives and visit orphanages of different States and countries as well.
From Bhutan they came to Guwahati and reached Manipur via Kohima.
She said that their bikes broke down on two occasions, one near a jungle in Kohima during their ride to Imphal apart from braving heavy rainfall in Bhutan.
Stating that they would leave Imphal within a few days, Dr Sarika said that they have a strong desire to meet Irom Chanu Sharmila during their stay in the State capital.
