Independence Day Ride !!

"Article by Praveen Sathay, a friend on the same ride."

Independence Day Ride
15th August 2007

Today we celebrate our independence day!! The independence which we credit to the efforts of our Leaders and Warriors who helped us get this freedom and after 1947 have continuously strived hard to maintain it. One of the most contributing members of this continuous fight to maintain freedom and prosperity are our soldiers. The men and women of the armed forces who have withstood harsh conditions and protected the country from evil eyes! This 15th August I along with a few Biker friends celebrated the occasion by riding out to the National Defense Academy, Khadagwasla. We left around 4ish in the afternoon from Baner and rode all the way via Chandni Chowk and NDA road to the Pashan Gate of the Academy. After doing the necessary formalities at the gate we found out that despite it being a national holiday it was still a working day for the cadets and hence we may not be able to actually get to move around freely.

A couple of rules were clearly laid for us before we started off. Captain would be leading the entire group on his P220, followed by Self on the P180Dittsy, then Nalin on the CBZ, Suyash on his Avvy, Priyank on his Libero, and 2 more guys in their Zen! We started off in a nice formation from the Gate and rode down towards the Airfield. This airfield used to have a dirt airstrip sometime back but with the introduction of powered flight training at NDA, they constructed a Tarmac airstrip and jazzed it up. There was a Mystere Aircraft on display there. A quick “U” turn got us back on to the Main road and gunning towards Gol market. Since it was a working day we additionally got instructions to watch out for cadets on the road who had the ‘Right Of Way’ on this particular day and we would either have to slow down till they gave us the space to move ahead. We did run into a group of cadets running on the road and it did feel rather awkward to actually not blow horn but wait patiently for the pedestrian to move out of the way. Captain has immense discipline in these things as he frantically waved us down every time he saw something on the road which was essential to notice and act accordingly.

A small detour took as via the Salaria square and Sudan Block on to the Parade ground and down towards Peacock bay. It was here that we also saw some monkeys darting across the road and a signboard warning motorists of being aware of wildlife crossing the road. I could assume jackals, foxes, and other animals also skittering across the road in night. After crossing peacock bay we came out of the Khadagwasla gate and rode towards the Kudje village. The road was wet with constant drizzling and Captain was at his street biking best negotiating curves and hairpins with ease. We had lost the other riders someplace in the distance as just three of us rode in close formation. This was perhaps the 2nd time we had to slow down to accommodate the slowpokes!! We turned around as soon as we realized we had come too far and then headed back towards NDA. After entering again we rode straight to the junction where we have the Commandant’s office and from there got off the main road on to a smaller tar strip. This incidentally was the outer perimeter road which went all the way round NDA on the outermost edge of the North-East boundary. This road was a narrow patch of tarmac with vast grasslands on both sides. As we rode further we came across the polo ground, football ground and fathomed the sheer vastness of the campus. It was here that we also came across two cadets running around the outer perimeter. Physical training is one aspect at NDA which is given immense importance and is used to inculcate discipline in the cadets. Even while punishing cadets for any misbehavior, the punishment is often just extended physical training – More running, more push-ups etc. From what I have heard most cadets do not consider going around the outer perimeter a very pleasant experience. It looked like Captain too had not been around the entire perimeter even during his two stints of 3 years each at the NDA, as a cadet and as the Squadron Commander. We also ran into some patches where an overflowing stream had caused some water logging and we waded through with our bikes and also did some semi-off-roading where slush and gravel were predominant on the road. Overall this ride was a very smooth and enjoyable patch as we were perhaps the only people on the road and were riding absolutely neck to neck at a comfortable speed of 40 – 50 KMPH. We came out at the Army Training Team area and reached the main gate once again. From here we turned back into Gol Market and finally stopped for a break.

The MiG 25 R mounted next to the Gol market caught my attention and while the rest of the gang went into one café for snacks and refreshments Nalin and I went up to the mighty bird and went trigger happy (read: Shutter Happy) on the fastest FIGHTER aircraft in the world. The MiG 25 is perhaps the only aircraft which is capable of short bursts from its cannon even while flying at speeds of Mach 2 and above. In other aircraft the speed of the projectile or rounds/bullets is slower than that of the aircraft hence they cannot actually FIGHT at that high speeds. There was a lot of interesting information about the MiG 25 and I had also heard a lot about how this aircraft found its way into NDA.

Read the MiG 25 Story here

Post the chai n snacks we again rode off towards the parade ground where we took a break and took some more photos. It was here at the FINAL STEP quarterdeck (Naval terminology), that I remembered some of my hay days at the Naval Academy. The Parade ground is impressive. So are the surroundings. The Parade ground has on display Tanks, Guns, a Sea Hawk, a MiG 21 FL, a model of INS Delhi, the Type 15 Destroyer we have. We rode off from the Parade ground and rode back to the Pashan gate, stopping en-route to click some more snaps. After moving out of NDA we came back to Captain’s place and then after bidding the customary good-byes rode towards our destinations. Nalin accompanied me home and we ended the fantastic evening by savoring some laddoos and watching a documentary on the Indian Air Force and nurturing the Patriotic spirit awakened in us after the visit to NDA.


An amazing experience it was visiting the academy where the brave officers of our nation are trained and sculpted, where men are crafted out of young boys, the alma mater of courage and discipline. I always have held the defense forces and academies in high respect despite not having a very pleasant experience myself. But then nothing makes my heart thump louder than the sight of our weaponry, our men in uniform and the spirit of patriotism.

JAI HIND!!

Catch Photos of the Ride here: