This year, Indian Independence Day was marked by country-wide celebrations attracting more than 500 riders. Harley-Davidson and Royal Enfield hosted organized group rides, and nearly 90 riders participated in the Triumph Independence Day ride in New Delhi. According to India’s auto.ndtv.com, the festivities marked the country’s 70th anniversary celebration with throngs of bikes carrying national tri-color flags.

Triumph Motorcycles became a partner with Smile Foundation to support the cause of Girl Child Education, and organized the "Ride to Freedom" across 14 cities in India. Scores of Triumph owners joined the ride in New Delhi, and Triumph India Managing Director Vimal Sumbly rode with a group in Pune.

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Motorcyclists Celebrate Indian Independence Day

"I firmly believe that true freedom comes from education,” Sumbly told NDTV. “And in a country like ours, where the female population is often disregarded, it is imperative we create opportunities for young growing girl children to learn, grown and evolve.

"It was a wonderful ride and it was great to ride with so many riders on the occasion of Independence Day," said Rohit Kapoor, a Triumph owner.

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Harley-Davidson and the Indian Navy joined forces to organize a dream ride for officers of INS Hamla, the Logistics Training Establishment of the Indian Navy. Harley-Davidson officials welcomed the team at the Harley-Davidson dealership in Delhi. The officers then met with officials at the Naval Headquarters before making their way back to Mumbai. Elsewhere, chapters of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) held rides around the country to celebrate the spirit of independence.

Members of the enthusiastic Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG) along with other motorcyclists rolled out on their bikes bearing the Indian tri-color and paid tribute to India's freedom fighters. The IMRG Freedom Ride concluded at venues holding national importance such as Qutub Minar in New Delhi, Amar Jawan Jyoti in Jaipur, Gateway of India in Mumbai, Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, and Veerbhadra temple in Bengaluru.

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Ducati also hosted organized rides, and while some chose to come out on the streets in groups, others elected to leave the city limits looking for adventure with like-minded riders and friends. What is common though is the love for motorcycling, and Independence Day provided a good reason to celebrate the joy that motorcycling brings to every rider's life.

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