IMPHAL,Dec 15 � ASEAN India Car Rally which had started from Yogjakarta in Indonesia on November 25 has finally reached the Indian soil at Moreh, India�s gateway to South East Asian countries, after crossing Indo-Myanmar friendship bridge at around 8.45 am today.
Manipur Commerce and Industries Minister Gobindas Konthoujam and Parliamentary Secretary (Information and Public Relations) K Meghachandra flagged off the rally for the India leg from Moreh International Trade Centre, 110 km south of here around 10.15 am today.
The participants of the rally, which is scheduled to go upto New Delhi after proceeding to Kohima and NE India�s premier city Guwahati through the National Highway 2 (Asian Highway 1) were given a grand reception at the historic Kangla Fort here where Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam again formally flagged off the onward journey around 1.45 pm today.
The rally which consists of 31 cars from nine countries was organised celebrating the 20 years of dialogue partnership between India and the ASEAN member nations.
Body builder felicitated: Manipur Government is planning to nominate State body-builder Khundrakpam Pradipkumar as the brand ambassador of National AIDS Control Society (NACO).
This was disclosed by Project Director Dr Shailesh Kumar Chourasia of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS). He was speaking at the reception of Pradipkumar on winning the bronze medal in 65 kg category at the Body Building championship in Bangkok in December first week.
Manipur is one of the six States in the country with HIV prevalence rate of around 40,000 persons living with HIV.
Pradipkumar is HIV-positive. On drugs since 2000 when he was diagnosed with the virus, he revealed his status only after he won Mr Manipur title in 2007.
In today�s reception, Pradipkumar was given a cash prize of Rs 80,000 and a memento.
