MP to honour brave women with Shaurya weapon

MP minister Babulal Gaur honours Ekta Shrivastava, who foiled a robbery and handed over one of the criminals to the police.

The courageous women of Madhya Pradesh will win their spurs with bravery. Madhya Pradesh Jail and Home Minister Babulal Gaur has announced the launch of a scheme wherein women who have demonstrated exceptional courage in fighting offenders, often at great personal risk, will be awarded with 'Shaurya Shastra' (bravery weapon).

"Some women have displayed outstanding bravery and have set an example for others. A scheme to provide 'Shaurya Shastra' will soon be launched to honour braveheart women of the state. The women will be provided a dagger-like weapon. Directives have been given to the officers of the home department to launch the scheme," Gaur said.

Citing the example of one such braveheart, the minister added that Ekta Shrivastava, a resident of Danish Nagar, had not only foiled a robbery, but also nabbed and handed over one of the criminals to the police. "So when we see these women raise their voices and move their feet and empower others to create change, we must honour them. Shaurya Shastra Yojana is being launched so that people acknowledge these women's bravery and draw inspiration from them," Gaur said.

In addition, the state home department is also planning to publish a book focusing on such brave women.

An elated Ekta, former convener of Dewas district's Durga Vahini, gave the credit to Durga Vahini. Ekta said: "I have imbibed traits of courage and self-defence from Durga Vahini' that helped me to prevent loot incident and catch a looter."

Moreover, chain-snatching incidents have become a regular occurrence in the state capital, with criminals targeting women, as they cannot react immediately or raise an alarm. In most of the cases, offenders wear helmet to hide their faces and escape easily after the pillion rider snatches the gold chain, said a senior police officer.