Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah attended the 60th Raising Day Parade of the Border Security Force (BSF) as the Chief Guest in Jodhpur, Rajasthan today. On this occasion, Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, BSF Director General Shri Daljit Singh Chaudhary, and several other dignitaries were also present.

In his address, Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, there has been a major transformation in the country's security scenario, and contribution of the BSF personnel will be written in golden letters. He said that over six decades, the BSF has strengthened the nation’s first line of defence through courage, valour, and sacrifice. He stated that the BSF has faced all challenges at the borders and empowered the country’s first line of security. Shri Shah highlighted that since December 1, 1965, the BSF has maintained an outstanding record of securing the nation’s eastern and western borders. He added that 1992 BSF personnel have sacrificed their lives for the nation’s security, for which the people of the country will always remain indebted.

Union Home Minister said that for six decades, the BSF has ensured the nation’s robust security. He stated that meeting the country’s growing security needs would be impossible without the BSF, which has grown from 25 battalions at the time of its inception to 193 battalions today. Shri Shah highlighted that with 2.7 lakh personnel, the BSF is the world’s largest border guarding force. He noted that even in 2024, the BSF has maintained its record of combating counterfeit currency, narcotics, infiltration, and left-wing extremism through various operations. He emphasized that as the nation’s first line of defence, 1992 BSF personnel have sacrificed their lives, and 1330 of them have been awarded medals to date. These include 1 Maha Vir Chakra, 6 Kirti Chakras, 13 Vir Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, 56 Sena Medals, and 1,241 Police Medals.

Shri Amit Shah said that for many years, our border security policy lacked clarity. He said that during Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister, an integrated approach to border management and the “One Border, One Force” policy was introduced, which became even more defined after Shri Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. He stated that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, significant steps have been taken to develop robust infrastructure in border areas, ensure 100% implementation of welfare schemes in villages, and establish excellent connectivity through rail, road, waterways, and technology in the country's first villages along the borders. Shri Shah also mentioned that legal trade and people-to-people connectivity have been enhanced through land ports.

Union Home Minister and Minister of of Cooperation said that fencing has been completed along 591 kilometers of the border with Bangladesh. He added that floodlights have been installed along 1,159 kilometers of the border, and 573 border outposts, along with 579 observation posts, have been constructed. Additionally, 685 locations have been provided with electricity connections, 575 places with water connections, and 570 solar plants have been installed to ensure power supply. He emphasized that the Modi government has undertaken the construction of border roads across approximately 1,812 kilometers of difficult terrain, enhancing connectivity to villages in these areas.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government’s greatest achievement is the Vibrant Villages Program, initiated on an experimental basis with a substantial budget of ₹4,800 crore. Under this program, several villages along the country’s northern border, particularly those facing the problem of migration, have been developed as Vibrant Villages. He stated that various efforts have been made to provide comprehensive connectivity, healthcare facilities, dignity, employment, and basic amenities to the residents of these villages. Shri Shah added that this program has been launched experimentally in approximately 3,000 villages and will eventually be extended to every village along the country’s borders.

Union Home Minister said that the BSF has established the country’s first National Coastal Police Academy in Okha, which trains state police and border guarding forces deployed to secure maritime boundaries. Additionally, the Modi government has introduced a comprehensive Integrated Border Management System for monitoring sensitive areas along the international border. He mentioned that the CIBMS has been implemented as a pilot project in Dhubri, and the initial results have been very encouraging. Shri Shah added that after some improvements, this system will be applied across the entire borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. He also highlighted that efforts have been made to strengthen border fencing, construct roads on the Indian side of the border, and undertake several other infrastructure projects.

Shri Amit Shah stated that the problem of drones is set to become more significant in the coming days. He mentioned that, recognizing this challenge, a laser-equipped anti-drone gun mount system has been developed through a 'Whole of Government Approach' involving all border security forces guarding the nation’s borders, the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, and various research departments of the Government of India. He noted that 55% of drone intrusions along the international border with Punjab have been intercepted and neutralized, a significant improvement from around 3% earlier. Shri Shah expressed confidence that within a few years, a comprehensive anti-drone unit will be established to protect the country from threats posed by drones.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that our soldiers spend the golden years of their lives away from their families and children, enduring extremely challenging conditions. He stated that the entire nation admires and respects their sacrifice, dedication, and patriotism. Shri Amit Shah acknowledged that in all weather and circumstances, the soldiers of our forces have performed their duties with excellence. He emphasized that these soldiers stand as the nation's first line of defence, ensuring the country's security while combating natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and left-wing extremism to protect citizens. He remarked that every step, struggle, and victory of these soldiers instills in the nation the belief that India is invincible and cannot be defeated. He credited this sense of invincibility in the hearts of 1.4 billion Indians entirely to the soldiers guarding our borders. Home Minister said that achieving Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a fully developed India by 2047 is impossible without the dedication and bravery of these soldiers. It is only through their courage, sacrifice, and commitment that this goal can be realized.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government has undertaken several initiatives for the welfare of the country’s security forces. He mentioned that through the Ayushman CAPF scheme, Ayushman CAPF cards have been issued to 41,21,443 personnel and their family members. He added that thousands of hospitals across the country have been linked with this card to ensure healthcare for the soldiers and their families, a responsibility taken up by Prime Minister Modi. He further informed that claims worth ₹1,600 crore, covering 14.83 lakh cases, have been settled so far. Additionally, cashless healthcare services have been provided to personnel and their families in 29,890 hospitals.

Union Home Minister said that to increase the housing satisfaction ratio, 13,000 houses have been approved over the past 5 years, and the construction of 11,000 approved houses has been completed during the same period. Additionally, 111 barracks have been built, and vacant houses have been allocated through the CAPF e-Housing web portal. Shri Shah also mentioned that all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have done excellent work in tree planting. He noted that all the forces have made significant efforts to bring various welfare schemes of both the state and central governments to the villages.

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