There was a nip in the air that refused to subside till the heartwarming performances by the BSF contingents took over at the 47th BSF Raising Day ceremony that was rescheduled following IK Gujral’s demise. When it did happen at Chhawla Cantt on the outskirts of New Delhi the real heroes awed their fans. It all started with different contingents including BSF women conducting march past before the chief guest, Sushil Kumar Shinde, our Home Minister. He was impressed with the high standards of training and leadership found in the BSF. Arvind Ranjan, Special DG BSF felt proud of the show. In his welcome speech, Ranjan said, “The premier Border Guarding Force of the country, and the largest such in the world, secures over 6,300 km of the international borders, with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Beside this, it is also deployed alongside the Indian Army on the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir.” He further said that “The challenges that bordermen face are tough and many. However, the BSF over a period of time developed the skills for undertaking the diverse tasks of border management, counter insurgency operations and maintenance of internal security, besides deployment on security duties in foreign countries under many UN Missions. Presently BSF is also deployed in anti-naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and Orissa.” Later, a magazine called Borderman was released and an exhibition of weapons and machines was open for guests.
(Clockwise from right) Sushil Kumar Shinde inspects the Force; performance by camel contingent; the Jaanbaaz team performed dare devil stunts; Stunts by BSF contingents; Jaanbaaz team on bikes, Sushil Kumar Shinde honouring the officers; celebrating unity in diversity and the Women contingent The guards are here
Nothing comes without a price. Since the raising of the Force, over 1,600 Bordermen have laid down their lives in the service of the nation. Over 6,300 personnel have suffered grievous injuries or have been disabled in the line of duty. These scarifies remain a perennial source of inspiration for all the bordermen.
AWARDS