45^TH   BSF Raising Day was celebrated today at sprawling campus of 25 Bn BSF at Chhawla on the outskirts of New Delhi. On the occasion, different contingents of the Force, including BSF women contingent conducted march past before the Chief Guest, Hon�ble MoS, Home,  Sh Ajay Makan, who took the salute.

Addressing BSF personnel, their family members and others present dignitaries, Sh Ajay Makan praised the  high standard  of training and leadership in the BSF. Complementing and congratulating Sh Raman Srivastava, DG BSF and his officers and men for excellent parade, he said the parade was a clear depiction of the high standard which BSF has achieved through hard work and dedication.

Sh Ajay Makan assured the BSF personnel on the occasion that the government is aware of their problems and would consider sympathetically to ameliorate the working and living conditions of BSF personnel.

            Earlier in his welcome address, DG BSF Sh Raman Srivastava threw light on the working condition and varied role of BSF.  He said BSF, the premier Border Guarding Force of the country, and the largest such in the world, guards 6623.56 kilometers (International Boundary �West -2289.66, East -4096.7Kms), of the Indo- Pak and Indo-Bangladesh Borders. With 25 Battalions at the time of inception in 1965, it has grown to a 159 Battalions strong Force today, with 27 more Battalions to be raised in next five years.

The Director General BSF further said that the challenges 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 lands. Recently BSF is also deployed in  anti Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

These achievements, however, have not come without price.  So far 1390 Bordermen have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the Nation, while 5825 personnel have been disabled or have suffered serious injuries in the line of duty.

The Minister on this occasion decorated BSF personnel with President Police Medal for Gallantry and President Police Medal for Distinguished Services.

During the occasion, the prestigious General Choudhary Trophy was awarded to 117 Battalion BSF and the DG Banner to 126 Battalion BSF. BSF Punjab Frontier was awarded the Best Border Management Trophy and BSF Rajasthan Frontier was adjudged best in Training and Sports.

The camel contingent, the BSF Dog Squad and different tableaus highlighting  life of Bordermen in  different terrain  and activities connected therewith were appreciated by one and all.

(TIRTHA ACHARYA)

Public Relations Officer

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