Pune: Seasoned rallyist Deepa Damodaran, along with her sister and mother as navigators, won JK Tyre Women’s car Rally and the Rs 1 lakh cash prize in the event that saw over 800 women in 175 freshly painted and colourfully decorated cars compete in the Rally to the Valley.
Exhibiting girl power at its brightest and strongest, the annual rally organised by the Western India Automotive Association (WIAA) with an aim of promoting road safety.
There was a spirit of bonhomie and freedom all through the 150-kilometre stretch that traversed through most of the iconic roads in the Mumbai city before heading towards Lavasa, spreading their message for women empowerment as an extension of the International Women’s Day celebrated earlier this month.
The car that won the loudest applause and eventually the Best Theme Award in the competition belonged to the all-women team that works at the Matunga Railway Station on the Central Line.
It boasts of 41 ladies, and no men, who run the station and they proudly proclaimed on their car: ‘Go your own way, where others can follow you.’
The FIA World Motor Sports Council member Gautam Singhania flagged off the rally while JK Tyre’s general manager graced the prize distribution ceremony late on Tuesday night.
Most of the women dressed up for the occasion too, choosing various kinds of attires and costumes, with the Gulabi Gang for Justice claiming the first prize for the Best Decorated Car.
Covered with massive petals all over, the car sent out a clear warning: ‘Delicate as Petals, Hard as Rocks; if you hurt me once, I will hit you twice.’
The Wonder Women, in tight brown tops, blue skirts, masks and wide belts marked W just like Gal Gadot in the movie by the same name, won the Best Dressed team award. Their message was equally strong: Wonder Woman is Not a Fictional Character.
Another car that stood out was laden with fresh violets and was chosen as the Most Enthusiastic Team, especially for the way they went out to spread their message: ‘Little Girls With Dreams Become Women With Vision.’
A black XUV, with Pad Women emblazoned all over the car in tune with the latest Akshay Kumar starrer, won two categories: best Slogan on the Car and Most Liked on Social Media.