All-Women Camel Safari expedition arrives in city

Neha Saini

Tribune News service

Amritsar, March 21

Climbing Mount Everest is easier than protecting the country from all kinds of internal and external dangers. India’s first woman to summit Everest and an inspiration for generations that succeeded, Bachendri Pal, has been carrying the message across three states along with 27 women, who arrived in Amritsar as part of the All-Women Camel Safari expedition—2015.

The safari arrived in the city, its last destination, after covering 2,500 km, along the BSF’s three major frontiers — Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab.

Flagged off from Koteshwar in Gujarat, the Safari has 13 BSF women officers who are a part of the BSF’s Golden Jubilee celebrations of its raising.

After covering Abohar, Fazilka and Ferozepur, the Safari will culminate at the Wagah Border on Sunday.

Padma Shree mountaineer Prem Lata Aggarwal also accompanied the safari while Sujata Shinde, Assitant Commandant, BSF, is co-leading.

The expedition, which is second such initiative, to encourage and promote women’s empowerment, created frenzy amongst the crowd as commuters and onlookers followed them from Crystal Chowk towards BBKDAV College.

“It’s exciting for us to be a part of a mission that took us to the international borders of the country and experience how the brave soldiers survive harshest conditions to keep us safe,” said Amla Rawat, a mountaineer from Dehradoon and one of the members of the team.

As many as 14 members of the team are from Tata Steel Adventure Foundation, which is supporting the expedition. The team was trained at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, and BSF’s Gujarat Frontier before making the journey.

“The expedition has been a learning experience for us as well. We got to interact with BSF soldiers along the way and know more about the first line of defence of our country. Also, at some places, especially in villages, girls were fascinated to see women in uniform. Some even thought we were guys, but on a closer look, they were shocked to see an all-women team on camels,” said Rawat.

While imprinting the desert and border areas, the team members also spread a word or two about giving women equal opportunities.

“Armed forces and adventure sports are considered ‘male-dominated’ areas. But the point is why have we fixed specific gender tags on any field of work or profession? Women in uniform are excelling and safeguarding the borders with equal commitment. Similarly, role models like Bachendri Pal break several social myths,” said Sandhya Bhadri, a PR professional from Delhi and a mountaineer.