BIS JKBO to celebrate World Standards Day with iconic bike rally

Srinagar, Oct 07: In celebration of World Standards Day 2024, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Jammu & Kashmir Branch Office (JKBO), has embarked on a series of exciting events under the theme “Shared Vision for a Better World”. The celebration is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, focusing on raising awareness about the critical role of standards in fostering sustainable growth and quality-driven development.
This year, BIS JKBO is marking the occasion with the “Manak Mahotsav”, a unique celebration that includes a Bike Rally from Srinagar to Siachen Base Camp. The rally aims to elevate the importance of standards and spread the message of BIS across some of the most remote and rugged terrains in the world, covering an awe-inspiring journey from Srinagar to Siachen Base Camp.
Speaking about the event, Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, BIS, stated, “On this remarkable journey to elevate the role of standards and promote sustainable development, I extend my heartfelt wishes to the BIS Jammu & Kashmir Branch Office and our enthusiastic riders as they embark on this inspiring mission. Your commitment to spreading the message of quality and safety through BIS standards exemplifies the spirit of resilience and innovation.”
Adding to this, Tilak Raj, Director & Head, BIS JKBO, emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating, “Envisioning and coordinating this historic bike rally to the heights of Siachen is a privilege that symbolizes resilience, endurance, and integrity—values deeply rooted in BIS standards. Our journey through the most challenging terrains reflects our unwavering commitment to raising awareness about the critical role BIS plays in shaping a sustainable, safe, and quality-driven future for all.”
Tilak Raj, Director & Head, BIS-JKBO
Starting on 8th October 2024, the event will kick off with Manak Mahotsav and a Stakeholders’ Conclave at the BIS JKBO office. This will be followed by a Quality March and various engaging activities such as poster-making competitions, quality runs, and skits, involving students from prestigious schools like KV Rahya Suchani CUJ Jammu, KV Sunjwan, Govt. Boys Hr. Sec. School Samba, Shiksha Niketan Senior Secondary School Jammu and industrial associations. The day will conclude with a prize distribution ceremony.
On 9th October, the flag-off ceremony of Bike Rally at Dal Gate, Srinagar where the rally will be inaugurated by Deputy Director General North BIS, this momentous occasion will mark the official start of the rally, where the riders, equipped with enthusiasm and dedication, will embark on their journey towards the Siachen Base Camp. A conclave will also be held at the District Industries Centre, Anantnag on the same day.
The highlight of 10th October will be the stakeholders conclave will be held in Khyber Industries, Srinagar where BIS officials will meet with local authorities to discuss the importance of quality standards in fostering regional development.
Before setting out, the riders will make a brief stop at NIT Srinagar, where they will engage with students at the TechVaganza Festival, further spreading the message of quality and innovation. From there, the rally will move towards the iconic Kargil War Memorial in Drass, covering a distance of 150 km.
On 11th October, the rally will host an event with the 121 Brigade at the Kargil War Memorial, paying tribute to the soldiers and highlighting the role of standards in ensuring safety and quality in the toughest environments. From there, the riders will proceed to Hundurmaan Village, the last village near the Line of Control (LOC), to raise awareness about BIS standards among local communities.
The journey will continue through the scenic landscapes of Ladakh, including stops at Magnetic Hill, Lamayuru Monastery, Sangam Point (the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers), and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, before reaching the formidable Khardungla Pass, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The final destination, Siachen Base Camp, will be reached via the breathtaking Nubra Valley on 12th October.
Throughout this journey, the riders will carry the message of BIS standards, highlighting the importance of safety, quality, and sustainability. At each stop, local communities will be engaged in discussions about how BIS standards play a vital role in daily life, from ensuring the safety of products to supporting innovation in industries.
In addition to the bike rally, BIS JKBO will also host a Quality Connect Program in collaboration with colleges from Jammu, Jalandhar and Srinagar. Through this initiative, college students will form groups to further spread awareness about BIS standards within their communities, underscoring the importance of quality in driving national progress.
The rally, while adventurous, holds a deeper purpose: to educate and empower citizens across distant regions about the essential role of BIS standards in ensuring quality and safety in various aspects of life, from products and services to infrastructure development.
As the riders hoist the BIS Flag at the Siachen Base Camp, they will symbolize the success of BIS’s mission to make quality a priority, not just within cities but across every corner of the country, bringing the spirit of “Manakon ki Koi Seema Nahi, Manak Aseemit Sambhavnaye” to life.