Rajnath Singh's Arunachal trip cancelled due to bad weather; CM flags off car rally

The highly anticipated visit of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Tawang was cancelled at the last minute due to inclement weather over Bhutan, forcing a change in plans. However, the show went on as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu stepped in to flag off the Vayu Veer Vijeta Car Rally, an event organised to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force and the 25th year of India's Kargil War victory.

The Defence Minister, along with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, was originally scheduled to attend the event and interact with the armed forces personnel deployed in the Tawang sector. Singh was also supposed to inaugurate a museum dedicated to the brave Indian Army officer, Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing.

But poor weather conditions over the Bhutan region, which is the usual route to reach Tawang, led to the postponement of Rajnath Singh's trip. Helicopters often face challenging visibility issues while navigating the mountainous terrain of Arunachal Pradesh, especially during the winter months.

Amidst bad weather, CM Pema Khandu stepped up to flag off the Vayu Veer Vijeta Car Rally, which had commenced its 7,000-km journey from the Thoise Air Force Station in Ladakh. The rally, aimed at celebrating the IAF's legacy and inspiring the youth to join the armed forces, reached its final destination in Tawang today.

Though the original schedule had to be modified due to the weather-related setback, the event's spirit remained undimmed. The Chief Minister's flag-off ceremony ensured that the Vayu Veer Vijeta Car Rally's journey found a fitting conclusion, even as the rescheduling of Rajnath Singh's visit left a void in the proceedings.