Punjab Governor Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria awarded Police Medals for Meritorious Service to the serving and retired BSF personnel of the Western Command of Border Security Force during Investiture Ceremony held at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER), Mohali. During the event, a total of 37 Officers, Subordinate Officers and Other Ranks including retired BSF personnel were bestowed with Police Medals for Meritorious Service.
While addressing the audience, Sh Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh lauded the contributions of BSF Officers and men in effectively securing Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh border during peace as well as war. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Force in maintaining law and order situation in aid to the civil administration, in Counter Insurgency role and helping state government machinery during Parliamentary and Assembly elections.
He said, "Today is not only a moment of pride and honour, but also to remind us that the dedication and commitment of these brave soldiers guarding our borders has given the countrymen the opportunity to live a safe and secure life". He expressed gratitude to the BSF on behalf of 140 Crore Indians.
He said that the Border Security Force is not only India's "first line of defence" but it is also the world's largest border guarding force with a strength of 2 lakh 70 thousand soldiers. It was established on 1 December 1965, and since then this force has been playing an important role in protecting India's borders.
He said that at present, 193 battalions and 07 artillery regiments of the Border Security Force are deployed for guarding the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh international border. Besides, Border Security Force is deployed in anti-infiltration in Kashmir Valley, internal security in North East region, anti-Naxalite operation in Odisha and Chhattisgarh and Integrated Check Post on India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh international border.
Earlier, Sh Satish S Khandare, IPS, ADG BSF Western Command welcomed the Chief Guest and other esteemed dignitaries present in the function. He reminded the audience about the glorious past of BSF and paid tribute to the martyrs who laid down their life in the line of duty.
The occasion was graced by Principal Secretary to Governor, Vivek Partap Singh, DGP Punjab Sh Gaurav Yadav, Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar Mrs Aashika Jain, SSP Deepak Pareek and other distinguished dignitaries from civil and Police administration functioning in Tricity of Mohali, Chandigarh and Panchkula.
At the end of the function, the chief guest congratulated all recipients of the medal and wished them and their families the best of luck.It is pertinent to mention here that Police Medal for Meritorious Service is awarded to those Central Armed Police Force and State Police personnel who have devoted more than 18 years of outstanding and unblemished service to the nation.
This is the third time when this ceremony was organized in the Tricity under the Chairmanship of Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh.