Sashastra Seema Bal, the guardian of Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border, organized a spectacular parade at Recruit Training Center Salonibari, Assam on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee. During this, the force reiterated its motto “Service, Security, Brotherhood”.
In line with the initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs to organize the Raising Day Celebrations of the Force at a location other than New Delhi every year, Sashastra Seema Bal organized its 60th Raising Day Parade with enthusiasm and gaiety at the Recruit Training Centre, Salonibari.Amit Shah, Minister of Home and Cooperation chief guest, took the salute of the parade. On this occasion Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Home Secreatry of India, various officials of central and state government, retired and serving officers of SSB who graced the occasion with their families.
During the parade, 06 contingents representing 06 Frontiers of Sashastra Seema Bal along with Mahila Contigent, Special Operations Contingent and Dog Squad marched past saluting stage showcasing the bravery, pride and commitment towards the duties of safeguarding Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border.
After reaching the venue, Amit Shah, Minister of Home and Co-operation paid floral tributes to the martyrs of SSB who made supreme sacrifice in the service of the Nation at Martyr Memorial, Training Centre, Salonibari, Assam. Summarizing the historical aspects of the force in his address, Anish Dayal Singh, Director General described the journey of Sashastra Seema Bal to 60 glorious years. Presently, Sashastra Seema Bal has 73 battalions consisting more than 91 thousand brave soldiers are serving with dedication and nationalism towards service of the Nation.
Sashastra Seema Bal is playing an important role in protecting Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders as well as preventing Naxalism and terrorism in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir. Male and female personnel of the force have been deployed in all types of extremist areas and other challenging geographical areas of the country. He explained how the force has established itself as a multi-dimensional force by efficiently discharging its various responsibilities. Director General SSB briefed about the achievements of various formations and institutions of the force in the areas of operations, relief and rescue operations, sports fields, adventure, civil welfare, bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries and other areas.
Welcoming the Chief Guest Amit Shah, special guests, dignitaries, force personnel and their families, Director General, SSB made special mention of the steps taken to prevent border crimes along the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. He congratulated the force personnel for the operational achievements in the field of seizures and arrests and also praised the commendable work being done by the force in the field of human trafficking and citizen welfare programs being carried out for the development of border areas and upliftment of border residents.
Chief Guest Amit Shah presented the awards to the recipients of 02 President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service, 11 Police Medals for Meritorious Service and presented trophies to SSB Battalions for outstanding performance in the field of their duties.
During his address, Chief Guest Amit Shah appreciated the spectacular performance of the parade and the decision to organize the program at Recruit Training Center Salonibari. Speaking about the glorious history of SSB, the Chief Guest also appreciated the role of SSB in guarding the India-Nepal and India-Bhutan borders as well as duties performed in other important areas. He spoke about the various welfare schemes of GoI implemented by the force personnel as well as valuable contribution of personnel during natural disasters. Chief Guest praised the operational achievements of SSB during 2023 in the field of smuggling of narcotics, illegal weapons, fake currency, wild life and forest wealth and contraband items on the border despite the challenges of open borders of Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan.He said SSB has seized contrabands worth crores of rupees with more then 5000 arrests during last year. The Honorable Chief Guest also praised the role of Sashastra Seema Bal in anti-Naxal operations conducted by SSB in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar and anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Home Minister congratulated 234 medal winners of SSB in international and national sports competitions this year. Praising the SSB players who won bronze medals in the “Asian Games”, he said that the SSB players will bring glory to the force and our Nation.
Congratulating SSB, he said that SSB is the first border guarding force of India to recruit women in combat role. By the year 2023, the participation of women in the force has reached 4% and more than 3900 women are performing their duties well in the force and SSB has set a target of increasing the number of women in the force to 6% by the year 2026. Apart from border security, women force personnel are also discharging their duties shoulder to shoulder with men in challenging duties like law and order in Jammu and Kashmir during the United Nations Mission and Amarnathji Yatra.
Home Minister added in his address that the villages situated on the borders of the country are called the last villages of the country, but if seen in reality, these villages are the first villages of the country while entering the country. He commended SSB for its efforts in providing all the basic facilities in these villages and trickling down of various welfare schemes of government in favour of the residents on border and in making the ambitious “Vibrant Village Scheme” of GoI successful.
Amit Shah said that Sashastra Seema Bal is implementing the campaigns launched by the Prime Minister like:- Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat Mission, Water Conservation, Ban on Single Use Plastic, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav etc. successfully. He said that SSB has made a significant contribution in tree plantation by planting more than 5 crore saplings.
Amit Shah gave information about Ayushman CAPF, Awas Yojana, e-Awas Portal and Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme issued by the Government of India for CAPF soldiers.
Finally, the Chief Guest also congratulated the personnel who received Gallantry Medal, President’s Police Medal and Indian Police Medal and extended his best wishes to all the force personnel on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the force.
During the program, Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Postal Stamp of Sashastra Seema Bal was released, Besides, the buildings constructed at a cost of Rs 223 crore at Frontier Headquarters Patna, Siliguri, Guwahati and Recruit Training Centre, Salonibari were e-inaugurated. These newly constructed buildings include quarter guard, officers and SO’s mess, jawan barracks, kitchen, hospital and family quarters of type 2, 3, 4, 5. All these buildings are equipped with high quality and modern facilities. Their construction will help the force personnel in discharging their responsibilities and will boost their morale.
An exciting yoga show was demonstrated by the personnel of the force. The force personnel also entertained the audience with culturally enriching performance demonstrating seven North Easstern states also known as ‘Seven Sisters’.
On the occasion of Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Force, Sashastra Seema Bal had the privilege of hosting its guests which included foreign dignitaries from Nepal, Bhutan, retired officers, men and families of SSB, other dignified guests from various organisations as well as the media fraternity.
