Tata Steel Flags Off the ‘Indian Women’s Great Desert Safari’

Tata Steel is all set to flag off the ‘Indian Women’s Great Desert Safari’ commencing from 19^th February, 2015 at Koteshwar near Bhuj, Gujarat. The team consists of 20 Women- 14 selected by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and 6 from Border Security Force (BSF) will travel across 2000 kilometers, commemorating the Golden Jubilee of the Border Security Force. This expedition is organized by Tata Steel with the objective to add to the spirit of adventure and spread message of women empowerment and also commemorates the 50 years of existence of the Border Security Force

The participants will undergo a specially designed training program organised by the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and the BSF at Bhuj before the flag off under the supervision of Ms Bachendri Pal, Chief Tata Steel Adventure Foundation. The Safari commemorates the Golden Jubilee of the Border Security Force and also celebrates the illustrious journey of serving the country selflessly. This will be the largest all women team (20 members) to cover the distance of 2000kms from Bhuj to Wagah border.

Speaking on the Safari, Ms. Bachendri Pal, Chief, Adventure Programme Tata Steel, said, “Tata Steel has always aimed to induct people from all walks of life to the thrills and wonders of adventure sports. This is a significant safari where we will be training all the participants before the flag off which will instill confidence and drive their determination to face challenges in life. It aims to instill leadership qualities, humility, courage, self-respect, overcoming fear besides bringing one in contact with people from different areas and different cultures”.

Also speaking on the safari, Mr M L Batham, In charge of the expedition, said, “We are extremely happy to associate with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation to organise such a prestigious safari to commemorate the 50^th year of the existence of Border Security Force. It’s an honour for us to have Ms Bachendri Pal as the leader and mentor for the desert safari which aims to spread awareness of social cause and peace and harmony. It will further spread a positive message across border and will motivate the soldiers, who are living under extreme conditions across international borders. I wish all the members of the Desert Safari the very best for the amazing journey.”

The course of the 2000 kilometer journey, testing human endurance, physical strength and stamina is all filled with spirit of adventure along with its share of excitement. The journey will conclude on March 24^th 2015, and will be a befitting tribute to the BSF and its 50 years of journey. Earlier, Ms Pal had led a similar expedition in 2007 from Bhuj to the Wagha Border. During the course of the expedition, the 20 member team will interact with villagers and school students across the borders and spread awareness on women empowerment, education and holistic development. The team on expedition will also interact with soldiers from across the border to motivate them and spread the message of peace and solidarity.

Apart from the Leader, the other participants selected by Tata Steel are 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 Rani Jamuda, Kalinganagar, Odisha, Ms Sumitra Kerai, Kalinganagar ,Odhisa  Ms Krishna Rana, Vadodra, Gujarat, Ms Amla Rawat, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Ms Sandhya Bhadri, Dehradun, Uttarkhand, Ms Navita Rana, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.                             

About Tata Steel:

Established in 1907 as Asia's first integrated private sector steel company, Tata Steel Group is among the leading steel manufacturers in the world with an annual crude steel capacity of over 26.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). It is now the world's second-most geographically-diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and a commercial presence in over 50 countries. The Tata Steel Group, with a turnover of US$ 26.13 billion in FY '12, has over 80,000 employees across five continents and is a Fortune 500 company. The Group’s vision is to be the world’s steel industry benchmark in “Value Creation” and “Corporate Citizenship” through the excellence of its people, its innovative approach and overall conduct. In 2008, Tata Steel India became the first integrated steel plant in the world, outside Japan, to be awarded the Deming Application Prize 2008 for excellence in Total Quality Management. In 2012, Tata Steel became the first integrated steel company in the world to win the Deming Grand Prize 2012 instituted by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers.