School students take part in the cycle rally in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Motorists and cyclists took to the roads on Tuesday as part of the state’s centenary celebrations. While schoolchildren raced on their cycles, a convoy of cars headed to New Delhi to showcase Bihar’s rich heritage and culture.

The cycle race for girls, organised by the Patna branch of Bihar Pradeshik Marwari Sammelan, started from Gandhi Maidan around 6.30am. Around 270 students of both government and private schools took part in the event.

Anjani Kumar Sureka, the secretary of the organisation, said: “The main theme of the cycle rally was Bihar’s centenary, women’s empowerment and the chief minister’s bicycle scheme for school girls.”

The cyclists had to make a round of the Gandhi Maidan. Muskan, a Class VIII student of St Joseph’s High School, won the race.

Later in the day, the Bihar Centenary Car Run, organised by the state industries department with Magadh Motor Sports Club, was flagged off from the green spot.

Ten SUVs and sedans along with an OB van started for New Delhi.

The vehicles are painted with maps of Bihar along with pictures of the rich cultural heritage of the state. It will reach the national capital after passing through the state and Uttar Pradesh.

Pranav Sahi, an official of Magadh Motors, said: “The pictures on the cars would highlight the heritage of the state.”

The cavalcade will halt at 15 cities, including Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur and Agra. It will return to Patna on March 28.