Berhampur: Six young women from Odisha have joined India's first all-female rafting expedition team comprising 20 BSF personnel. The 53-day expedition in the Ganges from Devprayag in Uttarakhand to Ganga Sagar in West Bengal covers over 2,500 km. The expedition, jointly organized by BSF and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), commenced on Nov 2 and is scheduled to conclude on Dec 26, 2024. It aims to promote women's empowerment and raise awareness about maintaining a clean Ganga.
The Odia contingent includes jawans Diptimayee Tarai, Sukmani Khadia, Kranti Bhengra, Laxmi Priya, Jayanti Bhumji and Minati Karna. They are part of a larger team consisting of 18 jawans and two sub-inspectors. Diptimayee Tarai, hailing from Ora village in Krushna Prasad block, expressed pride in being part of this historic expedition. Before joining BSF, she received training at a private institute in Berhampur. "I've been interested in rafting since childhood and specifically completed the watercraft course to participate in such initiatives," she said.
The selection process was rigorous, with participants completing a six-week training programme including basic and advanced rafting courses. "Besides promoting women's empowerment and river conservation, this expedition has helped us understand the cultural significance of Ganga, revered as a goddess," said one of the team members.
Debesh Samantara, founder of the training institute where Diptimayee studied, praised her determination. "Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained focused on her goal of serving the country. Her participation, along with five other Odia women, makes us immensely proud," he said. The expedition represents a significant milestone in women's participation in adventure sports and national service while promoting environmental consciousness.