Indian Navy sets off on “The Invincible Ride” with Bajaj V15

Right from its first teaser images that landed just ahead of the 2016 Auto Expo last month, one of the biggest selling and marketing points about the new Bajaj V15 motorcycle were that it was partly crafted with metal salvaged from the scrap metal of the now-dismantled INS Vikrant. An aircraft carrier with a chequered history, the INS Vikrant saw particular fame during the 1971 Indo-Pak War when it delivered a military edge to India’s navy in terms of firepower. By incorporating the metal from this distinguished ship into its fuel tank, the Bajaj V15 has also, by association, transcended the stage from just being another new motorcycle into something with a nationalist and patriotic bent. Something that a commuter who wants a piece of Indian military history can aspire to own.

Taking this association further, Bajaj Auto has flagged off “The Invincible Ride” from Kohli Stadium in Colaba, Mumbai, today. Officers of the Indian Navy, namely the Western Naval Command, will travel to 23 Chhatrapati Shivaji forts on the V15 as part of the ride. The date of the flag-off is also noteworthy, as 23rd March is one of the many days celebrated in India as “Martyr’s Day,” this particular one being the anniversary of the deaths of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru on 23 March, 1931.

The flag-off ceremony was kicked off by a vibrant display of the lost martial art form of “Mardaani Khel” by soldiers from the Indian navy.

Following that, Rear Admiral S N Ghormade, Nausena Medal (Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area) of the Indian Navy took to the dais and gave a short speech about the Navy, stating, "We would like to attract enterprising Indian youth to join the Navy. On the occasion of Martyr's Day our team has set out on a Motorbike cum Trekking Expedition to 23 forts in honour of Chattrapati Shivaji. We felt that the Bajaj V was the ideal vehicle for this initiative as it contains the invincible metal of the INS Vikrant and V also stands for victory.”

It was then time for the officers to roll out of the stadium. Dressed in all-black riding gear as opposed to their traditional white uniforms, the group of riders made their way out of the stadium in a stately manner that only exemplified the discipline and training of the armed forces.