Deepa Malik's Pan India Drive reached Pune

The longest ever Pan India drive of the Arjuna Awardee Deepa Malik for the Limca Book of World Record has reached Pune. Starting from Chennai, the epic trail has crossed Bangalore and Belgaum, and now reached Pune as the third major pit-stop on the route. The road drive will cover 9 major cities and a distance of over 3,000kms, and will be concluded in Gurgaon (NCR) region.

The Project 'WOW-Will on Wheels' started from the campus of Sathyabama University. The students of the university have re-designed a Renault Duster to enable Deepa to drive it using hand-led controls. The road drive at present has two Renault Duster, one with Deepa Malik and the other with our journalist travelling the country. These two are followed by a car full of students who have designed the car to her specifications.

Reaching Pune on the 24th night, Deepa Malik got a family touch when she met her in-laws in the city. Major Gen. and Mrs. B.S. Malik drove down from Ahmednagar to applaud and support her in this endeavour. The Team WOW took to a morning drive to the Mariplex Complex in Kalyani Nagar where the flag-off was done by Dr. Parag Sancheti, a renowned Orthopaedic surgeon. The flag-off ceremony was arranged and coordinated by the EKansh Trust with which Deepa Malik’s bond dates back to the year 2008 when she had worked with them for a seminar. The Trust is known to do welfare programmes for disabled people and had roped in Deepa Malik as a speaker for them. Speaking on behalf of Dr. Parag, Founder EKansh Trust said, “Parag Sancheti has always been supportive of such endeavours. He has been associated with us before and he volunteered himself to be a part of this flag-off.”

The Team WOW was welcomed by a group of bikers called the Road Shakers group who applauded and hooted for the entire convoy when they reached the venue. Having been a constant support to her, the biking group has supported her by being active participants in the yearly ride that happens from Pune to Mumbai. A few bikers from the group even accompanied the Team WOW till the Mumbai Highway showing their support with her campaign.

Deepa Malik is expected to touch down the NCR region on the 30th September which will be followed by a press meet and post-flag-off ceremony of the World Record at the LemonTree Hotel in Gurgaon.