Dr Shivani Pruthvi, Deeksha Balakrishna, only ladies in Rally of Himalaya
Manali, 6 October 2021: Ace rally driver Dr Shivani Pruthvi and Deeksha Balakrishna will be making their debut in the Rally of Himalayas, the toughest cross-country rally in the country which has attracted as many as 100 top rallyists from across the country to Himachal for the first-ever “Rally of Himalayas”, one of the most challenging motorsports events of the world in dangerous terrains of the state from October 7 to 10.
Creating ripples
Dr Shivani and Dr Deepthi Pruthvi, the daughter-mom pair from Davangere have been making ripples in the motorsports circles by taking part in the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) for the last three years. But Shivani, who completed her MBBS, last year despite all her motorsports activity, has just finished two INRRC rounds, the revived TSD Nationals at Hampi and the previous week, she was racing at Chennai’s Madras Motorsports Race Track. Dr Deepthi is an expert pathologist and a busy lady at the hospital as she chose to serve in her district itself but has been calling the pace notes for Shivani for some time now. But the multi-faceted Shivani who is known for her focus and hardwork even in her college days has managed tough schedules that a doctor’s course demands. She was also a multiple participant in the Republic Day Parade as an NCC cadet.
Deeksha joins to strengthen the only ladies team
She choose to rally with Deeksha as she is taking part in the extreme Cross-Country rally for the first time. Deeksha Balakrishna, is another talent from Southern India, who made her INRC debut, in style, with Pragathi Gowda in Arunachal Pradesh last December and made many take notice. Deeksha, also grew up in motorsports culture, listening to her dad Balakrishna’s tales. Popularly known as BK, he has been at the helm of motorsports activity in Karnataka and is currently the go-to man in fmsci for any of the sporting needs. Deeksha, naturally fits the bill Shivani feels. “She is the right choice as we enter as the only ladies team in the Rally of Himalayas,” she added. It keeps the FMSCI Women in Motorsport concept alive in the toughest rally of the country. Deeksha, who proved to have a strong will and steady mind, is equally thrilled. “It is definitely a challenging and tough.. the mother of all rallies. We are on our maiden mission to tame the elements as we prepare for a big test of endurance, cold temperatures and high altitude, both for the car and the team. Definitely a Mmighty Himalayan task and look forward to many more thrilling drives with Shivani,” said Deeksha.
Inspired by Dad’s tales, the Pruthvi effect
The Karnataka duo, finished the recce and will be looking forward to some challenging but enjoyable experience. “I am looking forward to driving here as I heard many tales from my dad about how one can overcome any challenge if you are in sync with the nature. I am going with a positive mind and my target is to finish the rally. We are game for it,” said the young doctor from Davangere in Karnataka. Pruthvi, her father, who introduced her to rallies was an yesteryear star for JK Tyres. Pruthvi, along with Shivu Shivappa, the FMSCI vice-president, had many tales to tell, when they took part in the inaugural Raide de Himalaya in 1999. Their story and run to the finish lane in a gypsy is a tale every enthusiast would love to hear. We shall will keep it for another day.
Organised by Himalayan X-Treme Motorsports Club, the rally will be flagged off by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur from Kullu on October 7 and the prize distribution ceremony will be held at Solang in the presence of Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur on October 10. The thrilling motorsport event will cover the challenging terrains of Hamta and Spiti which will test the stamina and skills of the rallyists.
Ten-time Raid de Himalaya rally winner Suresh Rana, who is president of the hosting club said: “Record 70 bikers are participating in this rally. This is the record as such a high number of participants has never been recorded before. Besides this, 30 cars including 4X4 vehicles will be vying for the title. We are putting our everything to make this rally successful and popular worldwide.”
A group of rallyists and motorsports enthusiasts are the members of the organising club backed by the government. As the rally will cover major portions of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts, the administration from both the districts is also helping in successful conduct of the rally. The general traffic movement will be stopped at many stretches to ensure public safety. The health department will station ambulances at regular stretches.
Air Himalayas, Himachal based helicopter service, is also partnering with the rally and will station its helicopter to help air evacuation in case of a medical emergency.
“The extreme motorsports lovers were disappointed as no rally event was being organised for a long time. Finally, after working for months and talking to the top rally teams of the country, we managed to bring this event together with the support from the government. Finally we are ready to tread the Himalayan terrains,” Rana added. The first and special state of the rally will go to Hamta after the flag-off ceremony by the CM. Then the rally will move to Kaza in Spiti via Atal tunnel, Gramphu and Kunzum pass. The final leg of the rally will end at Solang where prizes will be distributed among the winners by Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
This article is first published by here before it was edited and published in INDIAinF1.
