The government has decided that all the women who have been exemplary in their contribution to the nation, would be felicitated in the third week of June, when the afforestation effort kicks off
Gujarat government has decided to dedicate the 69th Van Mahotsav, a state-level afforestation drive, to 400-odd brave women of Madhapar village of Kutch who helped the Indian Air Force rebuild the air strip devastated by Pakistan in the 1971 war. The government has decided that all the women who have been exemplary in their contribution to the nation, would be felicitated in the third week of June, when the afforestation effort kicks off.
A senior official privy to the development said, "The drive will be dedicated to the brave ladies. It's almost decided the forest to be developed in Madhapar will be called Virangana Van, that is, 'brave women's forest'. The government will also invite the ladies who exhibited their bravery during the Indo-Pak war of 1971."
He added: "This tale is related to patriotism. But it has political ties too. This exercise could give a great advantage to the ruling BJP for Lok Sabha polls."
The government has decided to set a record during the drive by planting 9 crore saplings across the state in one day. This will help increase Gujarat's green cover, which is around 10 per cent of the state. The government wishes to expand it to around 15 per cent.
ON A WAR FOOTING
On December 8, 1971, Pak bombers dropped over 50 napalm bombs on the IAF air strip in Bhuj, making it incapable of launching an offensive. The IAF had limited resources, so around 400 women from Madhapar village came forward to help rebuild it. They and Border Security Force jawans worked relentlessly and ceaselessly, ignoring constant attacks from pak, to finish the mission.
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