“Whether it is women’s day or any other festival I always consider the police personnel as my real heroes…” Namisha Singla
From independence in 1947 to 1965, the protection of India’s international boundaries was the responsibility of the local police belonging to each border state. There was little or no interstate coordination during that period. The Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 showed inadequacies of the existing border management system and led to the formation of the Border Security force by the Government of India on 1st December 1965. It is a Centralized Armed Police Force that was formed to safeguard the Indian land border during peacetime and prevent transnational crime.
MY father Shri Mahesh Kumar Singla was the Additional Director General Western Command of the Border Security Force, when I got an opportunity to explore a path that has intrigued me and has left an impression for a lifetime. I consider myself lucky that during my eventful journey, I got the opportunity to visit the various border outposts that are stationed at the India-Pakistan border in Gujarat and Rajasthan and gain insight on the tough conditions endured by the lionhearted BSF Jawans. It came to my attention that while there is a well-established fencing, border outposts built after every kilometer and Jawaans guarding every inch of the Indian border, there are no such facilities on the Pakistani side. I wonder why they have no such arrangements as I think it should be a priority of every country to develop and maintain resources to defend themselves from their foes.
It is a privilege that the Indian Government has taken the efforts to build an organized and efficient Border Security Force for the benefit of the whole nation. It is true that every member of the BSF family is equally committed towards their job but in my opinion, it is the Jawaans who play the toughest and perilous role in keeping our enemies at bay. I was astounded to see how they survive all the hardships that a common man cannot even dream of tolerating. It does not matter to them whether it’s a hot summer day or a snowy winter night-they patrol the border day and night in the middle of nowhere just to protect our country.
To my knowledge, there are some composite border outposts that are well maintained but on the other hand most of them are not in a very good condition and hardly have any basic facilities. Our Jawans overlook all these shortcomings, abandon all the luxuries and work incessantly just so that the general public can have a good night’s sleep. I cannot imagine not talking to my parents’ everyday or staying away from them for a long time but Jawaans spend days or even months together without having any contact with their families even though I am sure they love them as much as I love mine. They tolerate all these adversities not for themselves but only for our nation and yet the common men do not recognize or realize their importance and how much they are forgoing for our country.
I would like to emphasize that it is unfortunate that actors and many other people get more publicity and importance than these Jawaans even though, in my view, their contribution to our nation is like a needle in a haystack when compared to the efforts put in by the BSF family for our nation. It is crucial to understand that Jawaans are the real heroes and the pride of India. They are so courageous and tenacious that they do not even hesitate for a second before pulling the trigger of a gun or getting killed. We should consider ourselves lucky to have such brave men guarding every corner of our country.
Honestly, I am overwhelmed by what I have experienced and words are not enough to express my admiration for them. All I would like to say is that we as the citizens of India should contribute towards their betterment by honoring them and providing them all the amenities that they truly deserve. Now the women of BSF guarding the border are also standing like warriors.
A BIG SALUTE to all the Jawaans for sheltering our country every day, every hour, every minute and every second… JAI HIND!
