Tata Steel Organises Indian Women’s Great Desert Safari

The 27 member fearless team of women from Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and Border Security Force, including two from Odisha, defied all obstacle and have come triumphant on the Indian Women’s Great Desert Safari 2015’, travelling across the salt desert of the country. Rani Jamud hailing from Ramathenga village and Sumitra Kerai from Trijanga village from Kalinganagar in Jajpur district were part of this team 14 of whom were selected by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and 13 from Border Security Force (BSF).

The team completed an ordeal of 2300 kilometers travelling from Bhuj in Gujarat to the Wagah Border in Punjab through Rajasthan. The women expedition team were on a mission to spread awareness on women empowerment, importance of education and cleanliness and motivating soldiers at the border.

The 27 member team embarked on the journey on 25^th February, 2015 from Bhuj, Gujurat and traveled across the desert speaking with villagers along the course of the journey. The ‘women on a mission’ spoke on the importance of education among the village population and how they can adopt to technology for the development of their lives. The message of a sustainable lifestyle for a better future was the motto of the awareness drive. The teams were tested of their tenacity and physical endurance on the course of the 2000 kilometer ordeal where despite the challenges of the desert they interacted with the soldiers at the border encouraging and motivating the brave hearts in dispensing their duty to perfection. The enduring journey also commemorated the golden jubilee of the existence of the Border Security Force.

Thanking Tata Steel for giving them the opportunity to be part of the Safari both Rani and Sumita said this was a once in a lifetime experience for them and they enjoyed every bit of the journey through the desert.

On successful completion of the expedition, Ms Bachendri Pal, Chief, Tata Steel Adventure Foundation said, “It’s a momentous occasion for us to have completed the 2300 kilometer Great Indian Desert Safari on camel. The journey through the tough terrains has provided numerous opportunities to come triumphant on extreme difficult situations.” In her message she also thanked the Border Security Force for providing best possible facilities for training and the journey.

The journey concluded on March 22^th 2015 providing a befitting tribute to the BSF and its 50 years of journey. Earlier, Ms Pal has led a similar expedition in 2007 from Bhuj to the Wagha Border.

Apart from the leader, Ms Bachendri Pal, the other participants selected by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation were Ms. Premlata Agarwal, Jamshedpur; Ms. Dipantari Sardar, Saraikela – Kharsawa, Jharkhand; Ms Sukhmati Mahatao, Tumung, Jharkhand; Ms. Sushila Kumari, Kandra, Jharkhand; Ms Rajshree Singhal, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand; Ms Sheetal Ekka, Tata Steel employee, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand; Ms Shobha Rani Hansda, Tata Steel employee, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand; Ms. Krishna Rana, Vadodra, Gujarat; Ms. Amla Rawat, Dehradun, Uttarakhand; Ms Sandhya Bhadri, Dehradun, Uttarkhand; Ms Navita Rana, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.