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Addressing the BSF personnel, Chidambaram praised
the high standard of training and leadership attained
by the force. He told the personnel that the government
was aware of their problems and would always consider
their demands.
"Not a single day passes without discussing
or thinking about our force. Not a single month
passes when the government does not discuss about
the forces condition at the border and what all
difficulties they go through. India is proud of
its border guarding force," Chidambaram said.
He said South Asia could become a haven of peace
and progress only if all countries in this part
of the world learn to live together in peace and
harmony.
He said the government is continuously working
on developing the infrastructure to facilitate
the soldiers.
"The government has approved major proposals
of strengthening the BSF. (A total of) 1,528 posts
have been sanctioned for augmenting training capacity,
415 additional posts for engineering and 825 posts
for BSF set-up," the minister said, adding
that the government was also keen to assist land
acquisition to expand the operational bases of
the force.
BSF Director General U.K. Bansal said the BSF
was the largest force of its kind in the world
and guards 6,623.56 km of the Indo-Pakistan and
Indo-Bangladesh borders. It is now also involved
in anti-Maoist operations in two states -- Odisha
and Chhattisgarh.
"The challenges the border men 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 under many UN missions," Bansal said.
The home minister also decorated four personnel
with the President Police Medal for Gallantry
and eight personnel with the President Police
Medal for Distinguished Service.
The colourful parades of BSF camel contingent,
dog squad and motorcycle display were appreciated
by everyone.
(IANS)
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