BSF celebrates 45th anniversary

From centralchronicle.com Agencies New Delhi, Dec 1: A grand ceremonial parade marked the 45th anniversary of Border Security Force (BSF) today at its Chhawla campus on the outskirts of Delhi. Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken, who was the chief guest of the occasion, took salute of the march past by different contingents of world's one of the largest border patrol forces. The march past was followed by a spectacular display of strength and versatile aspects of the BSF including camel contingent, BSF academy at Tekanpur, Rajasthan and Mizoram and Cachar Frontier. The show stealer, however, was the dog sqaud of the force which demonstrated its impeccable skills in detecting explosives and catching infiltrators. Addressing the annual fucntion, BSF Director General Raman Srivastava said the premier border guarding force of the country has grown from a 25 battalions at its inception to a 159 battalions at present. Srivastava, a 1973-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, informed that 27 more battalions will be raised in the next five years. ''The BSF from time to time has contributed in the internal security in places such as Jammu and Kashmir and Naxal affected areas, in addition to gurading the country's international borders.'' the BSF DG said. ''The force so far has caught hold of 1,625 infiltrators besides number of criminals on border areas. So far 1,390 borderman have laid down their lives in the service of the nation, while 5,825 personnel have been disabled or have suffered serious injuries,'' he said. Maken said the parade was a clear depiction of the high standards which the BSF has achieved through hard work and dedication. He assured that the government is aware of the problems being faced by the force and would consider sympathetically to ameliorate their working and living conditions. During the ceremony, the Minister decorated select personnel with President Police Medal for Gallantry and President Police Medal for Distinguished Services. Besides, the prestigious General Choudhary Trophy was awareded to 117 battalion and the DG banner to 126 battalion. BSF Punjab Frontier was awarded the Best Management Trophy and BSF Rajasthan Frontier was adjudged best in training and sports. http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=52985