Home Minister acknowledges SSB’s contribution as a Border Guarding Force

New Delhi 20th Dec 2009. “Sashastra Seema Bal” celebrated its 46th Anniversary Day with the Hon’ ble Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, taking the salute at the resplendent 25th Bn Ghitorni Parade ground on 20th Dec 09.

While speaking on the occasion, the Union Home Minister Shri. P. Chidambaram appreciated the pioneering works done by SSB in the field of Border management and said that the nation has taken note of the sacrifices made by the personnel of Sashastra Seema Bal in ensuring the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

Shri. P. Chidambaram broached upon the situation around the country and remembered the former Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi who rightly emphasized, “This war of to-day cannot be fought by the army alone. The entire civil population has to take part not only by keeping the economic, industrial and agricultural life of the country going. But, by taking an active part in resisting the enemy itself … All these have to be countered by the civil population and not by the regular army, and for this reason, it is necessary for the population to be trained and to be ready all the time to fight back the enemy.”

He further emphasized the need to ward off anti-nationals and separatists away from the youth. “This work of keeping people in the national mainstream is not to be done by the government alone. NGOs and the people should pitch in through small initiatives. I find that SSB has done some pioneering work under its comprehensive border management works and endeared itself with the people on Indo Nepal and Indo Bhutan borders . Not only in insurgency prone and militancy prone areas, SSB has been playing a constructive role in several States, including Chhattisgarh”.

He was glad to note that SSB has given importance to relocating its BOPs for gaining strategic advantages to checkmate the inflow of anti-national elements. SSB has set a good precedence by making it compulsory for all its Officers to visit BOPs frequently and make a minimum number of night halts. He said “I am sure this would enrich the lifestyle, boost the morale and evolve an invigorating inter personal relationship among the Force personnel”.

The Minister also appreciated the role of SSB in facilitating peaceful conduct of Elections in several states where they were deployed. I am glad SSB has displayed grit and gumption in Chhattisgarh, even in intimidating situations.

Earlier on, Shri. M.V. Krishna Rao Director General, “Sashastra Seema Bal” highlighted the need to remember the sacrifices of the martyrs of the force on this solemn occasion. He enumerated upon the achievements of the Force on two fronts that is Border Guarding and as a harbinger of social change through its perception management.

DG SSB, Shri Rao said, “The Force has completed recruitment and deployment of the 20 battalion strength, which was sanctioned in April 2005. SSB also become the first BGF to deploy seven women companies on border guarding duties in April 2009. SSB has also finished establishment of 578 Border Out Post on INB and IBB and buttressed them against brazen attacks. The Force upgraded its weapon systems, night vision devices, surveillance cameras in tactical and rendezvous points to check anti-nationals and smugglers. Some BOPs were also relocated for tactical benefits too. In fact, the Force personnel have been in fine mettle and battle readiness through vigorous multi level exercises in indomitable conditions on Nepal and Bhutan border. The Force has added teeth to itself by establishing its dog squad with 163 dogs and an Animal Transport Unit with 40 ponies deployed at BOPs and 16 riding horses for training.”

Further, Shri. Rao also elucidated the pioneering work done by SSB under its comprehensive border management in which SSB spent Rs. 3.22 crores in civic action works on the frontiers in conducting about 30 different vocational courses, giving away computers, sewing machines, embroidery machines, sports goods, etc. SSB has also undertaken micro-infrastructure projects and about 120 awareness generation programmes called Samajik Chetana Abhiyans to effect social change and sensitize border people about national security too. SSB conducted 274 games and sports events. The Medical and veterinary teams fanned into thousands of villages along the border and treated 1,56,859 patients, administered Polio drops to 2,18,199 children and treated 1,33,589 animals and vaccinated 12,985 animals too.

Apart from its operational achievements, two battalions of SSB’s are on IS duty and have made a niche, for themselves in Chhattisgarh. The 118 SSB companies deployed on election duty in several states have done a splendid job. SSB also did reach out to people during the Kosi and Sharda Rivers floods; during landslides in Dirang, Darjeeling, Kedarnath, Pithoragarh and Sikkim.

The celebrations concluded with some breathtaking displays of the SSB dare devil motorbike squad, Judo and Tangta teams. The SSB Dog Squad too enthralled its audience in full measure.