The 2.4 lakh-personnel strong BSF is a force keeping vigil on India’s long western border. Now it has been called upon to expand its vigil to the entire Indo-Bangladesh border which spans a length of 1,643 kilometers. BSF does not only protect the borders of the country, it also renders humanitarian service to the nation in times of emergency or natural disaster. When Uttarakhand was recently struck by lashing rains and flood, the BSF was called upon to render rescue services with the result that many lives were saved and about 12 villages that had been devastated in the floods were rehabilitated.
Border Security Force, as the name implies, is primarily meant to secure the borders of the country against infiltrators and subversives who have been specifically active in Jammu and Kashmir for two decades in the past. The infiltrators are highly trained people with most modern weapons assisted by strong logistics from the Pakistan intelligence sources. This means that the BSF has to perform much bigger role than what is normally assigned to it. That is why the force had to be equipped with latest weapons, communication paraphernalia and other logistical support.
In addition, the BSF needed to change with the changing times meaning simply that rules and regulations had to be modified and upgraded in a manner that these are adaptable for present day requirements. Addressing the ranks of the force on the occasion of 48th Raising Day of the Force, the Chief Guest on the occasion, Meira Kumar, the Speaker of Lok Sabha made a cogent point that by opening the doors of BSF on the women recruits, the organization had proved that it has not got stuck up with old system but is open to the new thinking. Already a battalion of women force in BSF is in place and very soon they will be called upon to perform field duties. Thus the BSF will steal the distinction of addressing the issue of gender discrimination which is plaguing other organizations.
Speaking to pressmen on the sidelines of the function, the Chief Guest made a pointed reference to the question of dealing with violence against women in the country. She said that last year new laws were enacted concerning the malaise of violence against women. She hoped that with the additional legislation, it will become possible to inflict very severe punishment on the offenders against the rights of women. We know that after the Delhi rape case, laws have been brought in to deter the offenders. But the fact remains that this disease is so deep set in our society that mere passing of laws may not be sufficient to bring about radical change in the mindset of criminals. The law enforcement is of vital importance. Accountability is what is needed in cases of rapes, molestation and other crimes against women. We think that a massive awareness campaign is needed in this country to make people aware of what harm is brought to the good name of the nation by adopting violent and criminal attitude towards women.
Recalling the sacrifices of BSF, Speaker of Lok Sabha said that her late father Jagjivan Ram used to say that during the Bangladesh war the BSF rendered no small a service in comparison to what the army had rendered. This is recognition of the sacrifices of this organization. Be it the western or the eastern border, BSF has served the country with utmost dedication nor caring for personal comfort and always ready to respond to the challenges whether it is from the enemy in the shape of infiltrators and spies or in the form of natural calamities. Given the belligerent attitude of Pakistan towards our country, it is obvious that BSF will be called upon to render services to the nation in much more difficult conditions. Many good reforms have been brought to the organization, but still much remains to be done to give it the real teeth to bite. BSF has to be provided with most modern and sophisticated weapons, communication paraphernalia and system, highly efficient logistics and excellent field coordination with various agencies while in a state of operation. We are proud of BSF and we salute the martyrs of the force who laid down their precious lives in defending the country, its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel