Tetso Motorcycle Club was founded in the year 2019 at Tetso College as one of the official, registered and recognized clubs in the College. Benisha R. Jishing, currently serving as the Vice President of the club shares the story of this unique initiative that has been striving to create a positive impact in the world.
“TETSO MOTORCYCLE CLUB”- A SOCIAL MOVEMENT
“If you’re going to go out, go out in a blaze of glory.”
― Guy Martin, Guy Martin: My Autobiography
Much has been written about Tetso Motorcycle Club on various media forums, there is nothing new that i want to say however, i feel as a present Vice President of this well-known club i too should write something and what could be a forum to express my thoughts; better than the “Degree of Thought” which in itself has scaled the heights of success in educating and enlightening the masses of Nagaland.
Tetso Motorcycle Club started as a carefully planned Project. Dr. Aniruddha Babar, my close friend, mentor and professor founded this club and appointed the first President, Vice President and Secretary General. The journey was not easy. The idea of forming a Motorcycle Club in an education institution was in itself a very ‘disturbing’, ‘blasphemous’, ‘uncomfortable’ idea for so many people considering the bad air and evil aura around the concept of ‘Motorcycle club’. The idea was opposed by many from the student community, even parents opposed, strong opposition came from the teaching community as well; thinking encouraging such kind of activity will drag the students into a ‘Hell Hole’ by distracting them from studies. As the project was taking its shape our founder faced many challenges, however he went all the way, all alone to get the project sanctioned from the visionary management of Tetso College. Yes! Our management-the Principal, the Director understood the vision of the initiative and gave a green signal and all the necessary support to the epic endeavor.
We and our senior members witnessed everything. Once the Club was founded, the question came about the membership. It was decided that the membership should be kept open to ALL the students in Tetso College. This is the first ever Motorcycle club which welcomes non-riders as well. We do not have any requirement as to the compulsory ownership of two wheeler (however, we make sure that 70 % of the members of the club are riders with their own two wheeler). We also decided to keep the post of Vice President permanently reserved for a woman candidate (Woman candidates can also contest for the post of President however, the basic requirement of the post is ownership of Royal Enfield Motorcycle and rich, verifiable experience of long distance riding. This condition is non-negotiable, non-relaxable). The structure of this club is far different from other clubs in Tetso College. This is the first club in Tetso college that outgrown the institution (Tetso Mountaineering Club is also on the similar footsteps). Now, TMC is an identity. People know us, recognize us. They respect us. We are recognized at Pan India level. It all sounds like a dream, but it is true. This is all made possible in such a short time because of the work that we have done and the support – from our Management and the well-wishers from Nagaland and different parts of the country that we received.
Tetso Motorcycle Club does not encourage riding for the sake of riding. The first question that we ask ourselves before setting up for every riding expedition is “Why do we want to ride, what’s the purpose”. TMC has been heavily involved in social initiatives. Right from tackling Covid 19 to voicing for the rights of people, exploring new lands & cultures, connecting people-contributing to national integration and through which a nation building process- we are at the service of the people, service of the nation. Tetso Motorcycle Club has also been felicitated by the Indian Army. We are also appreciated by many other government agencies and civil society organizations. We have close association with the Indian Army because of the common bonding of Adventure, sense of belongingness to the nation and common zeal & ‘Josh’ to serve our India in whatever little capacity that we can. The Indian Army bestowed a great honour upon Tetso Motorcycle Club by permitting and granting us an opportunity to receive and escort the Army Riders from Army Medical Corps who recently visited Nagaland-as a part of their Expedition, to their destination at the Army Base in Rangapahar, Dimapur. It was a lifetime moment to witness TMC (Tetso Motorcycle Club) and AMC (Army Medical Corps) riding together “Wheel-to-Wheel”-an ideal example of how civilians and the forces can join hands together to achieve common goals- the adventure, brotherhood, peace and glory.
I, as a Naga woman and free citizen of India, feel proud of what I see happening around me in TMC. We made sure that no evil of tribalism exists in TMC. Even in our Tetso College, Tribal unions are banned. Our college management teaches us to come together as humans and as fellow countrymen and citizens. TMC too has developed a similar culture where human character is recognized not religion or tribe. TMC is very fortunate to have visionary leaders like Kimiyeka G Yepthomi, Abeni Kikon, Zaremo Kithan, Vikibe Tsakhalu, Vin K, Imsuwati Longkumer and now Tongpokjang Lonchari, Imsujungba Longkumer, who have been secular in thoughts, liberal in action, thoughtful in execution with mind-free from any idea of tribalism or narrow mindedness.
If i say that TMC is now a social movement i would not be wrong, however there is still a long way to go. We are together for a purpose and to reach our objectives and goals we have taken initiatives and developed certain projects- one of them is Project Discovery- under which TMC riders will visit various villages in Nagaland to study culture and understand their world, their problems. Recently Mokokchung District has been chosen to explore under Project Discovery which was a huge success. There is one more project which is currently under final stage of development, which however, will be known as “Project- Naya Bharat, Nayee Khoj (New India, New Discovery)” under which Tetso Riders will visit different states and remote regions in India, learn culture and discover the commonalities/similarities and appreciate differences. Tetso Motorcycle Club is also planning an International Riding Expedition to Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and beyond, however, that is still a distant ‘possibility’ considering the technical hardships that our leaders have been engaged with since the inception of the club.
Here, I want to strongly state that Tetso Motorcycle Club does not receive funding from any politician nor will ever receive a single paisa from political parties, politicians or politically inclined individuals, tribal leaders or religious organizations in Nagaland or from any part of the country or the world. WE ARE ABSOLUTELY APOLITICAL AND SECULAR. Our Founder Dr. Aniruddha Babar has strict views on the funding which TMC have been following since beginning without question. Our financial morality and transparency keeps us pure and free from any politics, nepotism, favoritism and corruption. We fortified our organization in such a way that it will be somewhat self-sufficient and will remain free forever without becoming slave of any ideology, tribalism, politics or any other situation that may endanger TMC’s freedom.
I am proud to serve at Tetso Motorcycle Club, this gives me a platform to contribute to the nation building process. Next year I will be retiring and becoming a member of the Advisory Board, a new Vice President will come in my place. Leaders will come and go, but the core reason for which the TMC has been set up must be served. Our Founder and former leaders always used to say- “People will come and go, but organization must survive and live, because this is an asset of the people and we are simply the trustees & custodians”.
Tetso Motorcycle Club is a social asset belonging to the Nagas, Nagaland and everyone who believes in the ideals of ‘oneness’ and ‘unity’. We ride with a message. Engine of the TMC will never be silent, there will always be someone who will keep igniting the fire.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr Aniruddha Babar, Khangpuiliu Pamei, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org