#HEROSALUTES

A clarion call to all Indians to pay reverence to the armed forces by saluting the soldiers, on any interaction with them.

Hero took the lead with all earnestness, respect and sensitivity to echo the sentiments of the nation at a time when India conducted a surgical strike against terrorist positions on September 29, 2016.

The launch of this campaign on the same day caught the nation’s attention. Eventually, the campaign took a life of its own. People from various parts of the country, joined #Herosalutes to show respect to the Indian armed forces. It became an expression of people’s solidarity with the armed forces.

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

• The #Herosalutes initiative became very popular; videos and photographs poured in from individuals, schools and colleges
• Social media registered unprecedented engagement
• Over 7.5 million video views and almost half a million reactions on Facebook
• Over 2 million views on YouTube
• Over 4.5 lakh plus likes and over 1 lakh plus shares on Facebook made the campaign go viral
• The Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi encouraged people to salute our soldiers.
• The Indian national team showed their respects at the Kabbaddi World Championships
• Celebrities hailed the initiative
• While there were other brands that tried to join the bandwagon, the media acknowledged the simplicity and honesty of the Hero initiative

During the year, we crossed the milestone of producing 70 million two-wheelers, becoming the only Indian two-wheeler Company to achieve this honour. The achievement is a testimony to the growing popularity of our wide range of two-wheelers in India and the world.

To commemorate the achievement, which coincides with India’s 70th year of Independence, we also launched a Limited-Edition Achiever 150. Clad in the colour of patriotism, only 70 units of the Limited-Edition Achiever 150 were manufactured.