Ride East, a cross-country motorcycle ride to promote implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in northeastern India and northwest of Myanmar while commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II, was flagged off here on Tuesday by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma.

Interacting with the riders, who assembled here from different parts of the world, Conrad said it was important for them to be connected with the government and share their stories as they explore different places during their trips.

Through such trips bonding between different cultures and communities can take place, he said, motivating the riders to continue their endeavour to create awareness about goals through different activities.

The 10 Ride East bikers will follow a 1,000-mile route riding Royal Enfields for 10 days across the northeastern states of India that share international borders with China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The bikers will map and relive World War II history connecting the Northeast with northwest Myanmar along Stilwell Road all the way to the Lake of No Return on the India-Myanmar border, south of Pangsau village. Till October 25, they will identify and map social entrepreneurs and organic farmers along the route who have made a difference in their communities.

“This operation will be executed annually to support the Worldview Impact Foundation’s efforts to create a bridge between social entrepreneurs and organic farmers in northeastern India and northwest Myanmar, but lacks institutional support and market linkages to scale up their impact,” a statement said.

These social entrepreneurs and organic farmers will be trained at Spring Valley Farm in collaboration with Green Route once the Eco Village Hub has been built. The bikers will also offset all their carbon emissions by planting mangrove trees with Ecofriend World at Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park in Myanmar, making the whole operation carbon-neutral.

Following the rides of World War II dispatcher bikers, Ride East will engage the new generation of bikers who will facilitate long-term support through collaborations with like-minded organisations and individuals.

The intention is to build an active community on wheels that will make a difference by providing support for scaling up the project over five years.