New Delhi (NVI): India’s first line of defence, the elite Border Security Force (BSF) basked in the glory of its proven track record in service to the country as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in congratulating it on its 55th Raising Day here today.
“This force has been diligently protecting our borders. During natural disasters and crisis situations, BSF personnel have always worked hard to serve the citizens,” Modi tweeted, hailing the force’s attempts at preventing cross border infiltration.
To put it in historical perspective, till 1965 India’s borders with Pakistan were manned by the State Armed Police Battalion. Pakistan attacked Sardar Post, Chhar Bet and Beria Bet on 9 April, 1965 in Kutch. This exposed the inadequacy of the State Armed Police to cope with armed aggression due to which the Government felt the need for a specialised centrally controlled Border Security Force, which would be armed and trained to man the International Border with Pakistan. As a result of the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries, the Border Security Force came into existence on 01 Dec 1965, and K F Rustamji was the first chief and founding father.
The BSF, in its 55th years of existence, has emerged as an elite force of the country having excelled with distinction in the 1971 & Kargil war with Pakistan. Its mission is “Any task, any time, any where” and the motto is “Jeevan Paryant Kartavya”.
Meanwhile, addressing the main function to celebrate the 55th Raising Day of BSF here, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that BSF personnel have been diligently protecting our borders and worked hard in serving the citizens during crisis situations.
The Minister said that the country is proud of the sacrifices made by the BSF while defending the country. Appreciating the supreme sacrifice made by the BSF jawans in the line of duty, he said that because of them every citizen is fearlessly contributing in the development works of the country.
Nityanand Rai said Government has increased the retirement age for CAPF personnel from 57 to 60 years, allowed jawans to spend 100 days in a year with their families and non-entitled jawans can now air travel when deployed in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Government has also taken initiative of increasing the personal insurance for CAPF personnel given by the banks to 30 lakh under the Para Military Salary Package Scheme (PMSP). He said that multiple efforts from the Govt has been made to give all possible facilities to jawans of Central Armed Police Forces.
Praising the force the Minister said the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak is secured under the supervision of Border Security Force. He said that due to immense effort of jawans, enemies have to think multiple times before any intrusion or committing any crime.
Speaking on the occasion, the DG, BSF, Shri Vivek Kumar Johri said that the nation pays homage to the BSF personnel who made supreme sacrifices for the security of the nation. He said that BSF is also fulfilling its social responsibilities by helping the Government in implementing the central Government schemes to serve the people of this country. Senior officers of BSF and Ministry of Home Affairs were also present on the occasion.
