The unique motor-sport event promoted inclusion and empowerment. Furthermore, it paid a heartfelt tribute to the late rally legend Hari Singh.
Team Jatinder Sodhi officially won the Rotary Visually Impaired Car Rally on Saturday. Garima, a visually impaired navigator, expertly guided driver Jatinder Sodhi and Shaily Sodhi to a thrilling victory. Meanwhile, Simran Likhari and Col. GS Likhari secured the second position with their navigator, Priceny. Additionally, Sumeet Kaur and Jasleen Kaur finished third alongside their talented navigator, Samya. The competition remained fierce throughout the entire journey.
Rotary Chandigarh Shivalik proudly organized the event alongside Tynor Sports and The Lawrence School, Sanawar. Overall, around 45 enthusiastic participants joined the race. The event specifically aimed to promote confidence, independence, and inclusion through motorsport. Furthermore, the rally paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Hari Singh. He was a world-renowned Indian rallyist and a prominent former student of Sanawar.
AJ Singh and Simran Kaur flagged off the rally at the Chandigarh Club. Several notable officials, including District Governor Rita Kalra and President Anurag Aggarwal, attended the ceremony. Subsequently, drivers traveled through Panchkula before taking the scenic Kalka-Shimla Highway. They finally concluded their journey at the Sanawar campus. The organizers conducted this thrilling event in the Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) format. Therefore, each car strictly required a driver, an assistant, and a visually impaired navigator.
Navigators actively used detailed route instructions to guide their drivers. Specifically, they relied on Braille-based information to stay on the correct path. As a result, they demonstrated excellent decision-making and navigational skills in a highly competitive setting. Afterward, participants closely interacted with Sanawar students. During this session, they discussed assistive technology, daily accessibility, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
Ruchi Pradhan Datta, Headmaster of Sanawar, expressed great pride in hosting the concluding leg. She emphasized the strong message of inclusion attached to the sport. She stated, “Sanawar has a special connection with late Hari Singh. It was inspiring to see visually impaired participants demonstrating confidence, independence, and navigational skills.”
Similarly, Manjit Kaur highlighted the core motivational message of the entire event. She noted that visual impairment does not limit people from tackling challenging roles. However, society must provide the right opportunities and necessary support. Ultimately, this rally successfully challenged conventional perceptions about blindness. It clearly highlighted the massive potential and remarkable abilities of persons with disabilities.
