Jaisalmer: The 22 Women officers of BSF and Air Force who have embarked on a Camel Safari (till Wagah) along with the message of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ and women empowerment reached Kalnore near Gadra Road on Sunday where they participated in tree plantation.

The Safari was started from Barmer on August 15. The women camel safari in 49 days will cover 1,368 km and will reach Wagah border on October 2. These women were trained at BSF Rajasthan Frontier headquarters. Revenue minister Amraram Choudhary, Gujarat Frontier BSF IG A KGautam, Barmer sector DIG Pratul Gautam had flagged off the camel safari on the occasion of Independence Day.

The team next day had reached Chautan where it was flagged off by Chautan MLA Tarun Rai Kaga. Sector Commandant Sehrawat, 115 BSF commandant Pradeep Kumar, deputy commandant Rakesh Kumar, deputy commandant Pushpendra Kumar were present. Next day the team reached Seema Chauki Somasar where a programme was organised in Somrar Madhyamik Vidhyalaya.

A team of 10 IAF women air warriors led by squadron leader Anoushka Lomas is attempting this unique feat in the desert of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab. Earlier in the year 2011, IAF had created history by hoisting tricolour and IAF flag on Mt Everest during the all- Mt Everest expedition.

Keeping the spirit of its motto ‘Touch the sky with glory’ IAF is poised to explore this adventurous journey of approximately 1,400 km in the medieval way. During the expedition, the team will interact with civilians with an aim to spread awareness about Swachh Bharat and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Abhiyan. The team is also spreading awareness about IAF and its role and various career options available for youth (particularly girls) in IAF. The expedition aims to promote adventure activities in IAF and thereby motivate Indian youth to join Indian Air Force.

The team was flagged off from Adarsh Stadium, Barmer by Air Force station Uttarlai. On this occasion, IAF skydiving team ‘Air Devils’ had also carried out a skydiving display.

BSF Barmer sector headquarter DIG Pratul Gautam said 22 women officers and jawans of BSF and Air Force are taking part in camel safari, 11 each from BSF and Air Force. The camel safari in Barmer sector will stay at BKD, Somrad, Gadra Road, Kelnore, Munabao and Sundara. After passing through Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Ganganagar, the group will enter Punjab. BSF first woman officer Tanushree Pareek is taking part in the safari.

DIG Gautam said the camel safari in border areas is also interacting with locals and through cultural programmes giving message of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ and women empowerment.

Rajashtan BSF frontier DIG Ravi Gandhi said BSF and Air Force are jointly organising camel safari 2017 to empower women.

Gandhi said the objective of this safari is to spread information about BSF and Air Force among youth and to encourage women working in many forces to take part in adventurous competitions.

The safari on 26 camels will pass through 443 km of Gujarat border, 609 km of Rajasthan border and 316 kms of Punjab and will reach JCP Atari.