CKhusro Faramurz Rustamj was born on 22nd May 1916 at Kamptee and grew up in the Nagpur. With a Masters in Science, he began his career in 1936 as a demonstrator in Zoology in the College of Science Nagpur.
In 1938, he joined the Imperial Police and within four years, in November 1942 was awarded the Indian Police Medal for overpowering dacoits in Madhya Pradesh (MP) his cadre state and tackling riots in Nagpur. After serving as Sub – Divisional Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (SP) and District SP in MP, he was selected as Principal of Police Training College, Sagar. In 1952 he joined the Intelligence Bureau (IB) as Deputy Director and besides other duties, was appointed as the Chief Security Officer to Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru. For six years, till 1958, he visited 22 countries with Mr. Nehru, who after initially vetoing, finally allowed him to be reverted back to MP as Inspector General of Police. Invited to a farewell lunch with his wife, he received an autographed photograph from Mr Nehru who wrote: “In memory of many journeys together and with all good wishes.”
During the second India-Pakistan War of 1965 the inadequacies of the managing India’s vast and long land borders had become quite evident. It was then decided by the Government of India to raise a single force under the centre to guard the vast International Boundary (IB) between India with Pakistan. On the recommendations of the Study Group constituted to examine the issue and the Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, it was the charismatic Mr. Rustamji, who was chosen to raise the Border Security Force on the 1st of December 1965 with 25 battalions. It increased to 77 within a period of nine years. In the third India Pakistan War of 1971 the force pitted its capabilities against Pakistani forces in both the Western and Eastern theatres.
The BSF was an amalgamation of State Armed Police and the Indian Army. Previously their organization, training, tactics and formation were different but by the farsightedness, guidance and advice of Rustamji, they were knitted in oneness.
India’s erstwhile President in applauding the role of BSF in the 1971 War, had said, “The role of the BSF in 1971 War won for it the unstinted admiration of the entire Nation. The BSF forged great camaraderie with the Indian Army, with whom they fought shoulder to shoulder”.
On the 31st of May, 1974, Rustamji retired from BSF and consequently joined as Special Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He structured the Border Security Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police and the Central Industrial Security Force in the Central Police Organization and initiated the formation of the Coast Guards.
It is believed that his handling of the Railway strike was noteworthy. Two of his articles in Indian Express on callous treatment of inmates in jails of Patna and Muzaffarpur became the basis of a Public Interest Litigation in 1979.
Shri Rustamji was awarded with Padma Vibhushan in 1991 for his exceptional contribution. The legend passed away on 2nd March 2003 in Mumbai at the age of 87 years.
