Saturday, 11 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Union Home minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Self Sustainable Energy Buildings (SSEB) for soldiers and drones for supply of vegetables, medicines and other essential commodities at Border Observation Posts (BOPs) located in difficult areas. Shah also launched a flip book on 147 martyrs of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) while attending the 62nd Raising Day ceremony of the force here on Friday.
In his address, Shah said that the 130 crore people of the country respect the sacrifice, courage and valour of the brave soldiers wholeheartedly. He said that the people of the country sleep peacefully throughout the year because the brave soldiers of the country dedicate the golden years of their lives for the security of the country on the borders. The Union Home minister said, “Today is the raising day of ITBP and with the motto of Shaurya, Dridhata and Karmanishtha (bravery, determination and devotion to duty), our Himveers have protected the inaccessible borders of India since last 62 years. It has been the ITBP’s tradition to remain alert and protect the country’s borders in minus 45 degree temperature and its jawans are always ready to make the supreme sacrifice. ITBP, which started 62 years ago with seven divisions, has emerged as a strong force with one lakh Himvirs, 60 battalions, 17 training centres, 16 sectors, five frontiers and two command headquarters today. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, keeping in mind the demand of Himveers, the Central Government has also fixed the quota for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in air and rail on the lines of the army.”
Shah said that among the many new initiatives taken SSBE is very special because this building, built at an altitude of 17,000 feet in the cold desert will become a symbol of self-reliant India. He said that this building is a unique Deepawali gift to the Himveers from the Prime Minister Modi and the Ministry of Home Affairs. When the outside temperature drops to 40-45 degrees Celsius below zero and even petrol or diesel cannot be used, this building will keep the soldiers safe at a temperature of 18-19 degrees. He said that SSEB was completed in just two months.
Shah said that the idea of using drones for the supply of vegetables, medicines and other essential logistics items at BOPs situated at high altitude and difficult areas was put before all by PM Modi. He said that in realising this vision, the first drone has reached a remote area carrying 15 kilogrammes of medicines and vegetables on Friday, which is a big step. He said that the drone service will prove beneficial not only for our Himveers but also for the people of the border villages. Shah said that recently, on the initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Prime Minister Modi has approved seven battalions of ITBP and this is the first time after the establishment of ITBP that seven battalions have been approved together and out of seven battalions four will be deployed shortly. These seven battalions and one sector headquarters will be built at a cost of approximately Rs 3,000 crore.
Shah further said that the security of the country’s borders is the responsibility of the Himveers, but if these border villages become vacant then there will be a lot of problems in this work. He said that wherever our CAPFs are deployed, we should accept them as the nodal agency for development works and work should be done to ensure that all the facilities reach the villages. Shri Shah said that in the coming year, 168 unconnected villages will be connected to roads, electricity, telecommunication and health services.
