Former Army Chief inaugurates car rally for a cause

Former Army Chief General J. J. Singh flagged off a rally of Vintage car here today to spread awareness about the underprivileged children and raise resources to meet their needs.

New Delhi, Nov 23 : Former Army Chief General J. J. Singh flagged off a rally of Vintage car here today to spread awareness about the underprivileged children and raise resources to meet their needs.

"This is a different kind of an adventure activity. The speed of the vehicle is not all that important. These cars that are around a 100-years old and if they are running it's because of the interest taken by the people using them and maintaining them," said General J J Singh.

The event titled "Heritage Hill Drive" has been organised by the Automotive Heritage Trust.

Twenty-five classic and vintage cars which included the Rolls Royce, Jacquar, Cadillac, Ford, Buick and Austin were part of the fleet.

The first car came to India in 1900. In the next few years, three old mobiles were imported into the country, and within 10 years of the first car, there were several thousand vehicles.

Until 1947, when India gained independence from British imperial rule, rulers of princely states and industrialists were the biggest patrons of luxury cars.

Anticipating the need for cars in India, General Motors (GM) set up as early as in 1927, their own 'assembly line' in Mumbai. Within 10 years, GM India Limited could churn out as many as 11,000 cars- Buicks, Chevrolets and Vauxhalls-per year.

ANI