Tezpur: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, marked the 60th Raising Day celebrations of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) as the chief guest at the SSB Recruit Training Center in Tezpur, Assam. The event witnessed the presence of Chief Minister of Assam Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Home Secretary, Director General SSB, and other dignitaries.
Shri Amit Shah paid tribute to the 51 jawans of the force who made the supreme sacrifice for the security of the country. Highlighting the dedication and sacrifices of SSB personnel, he emphasized that the nation can sleep peacefully due to the soldiers willing to give the supreme sacrifice to protect it. The Home Minister remembered the bravery of Paramvir Chakra awardee Karam Singh and announced the naming of an island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Karam Singh Island in his memory.
Several projects related to SSB were inaugurated at a cost of Rs 226 crore, including headquarters, housing, barracks, mess, hospitals, and other facilities. Shri Amit Shah mentioned the steps taken by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the last nine years to improve facilities for all Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs). A postage stamp was released on the occasion of the 60th diamond jubilee of SSB, symbolizing the dutifulness of the force.
The Home Minister commended SSB’s glorious history since its establishment in 1963, emphasizing its role in guarding India-Nepal and India-Bhutan borders. He praised SSB for not only securing borders but also facing challenges posed by terrorists and Naxalites. The force has meticulously stored cultural, linguistic, geographical, and historical information of villages near India’s borders, contributing to India’s claims in disputed areas.
Shri Amit Shah highlighted SSB’s achievements in the last year, including the arrest of more than five thousand smugglers, seizure of drugs and weapons, and the rescue of about 500 persons from human trafficking. SSB soldiers have played a crucial role in Naxal-affected areas and fought terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir alongside other security forces.
In the field of sports, SSB has won 234 medals in national and international competitions. Shri Amit Shah announced the formulation of a central-level policy to promote sports in all CAPFs. He congratulated SSB jawans who won bronze medals in athletics at the Asian Games.
The Home Minister praised SSB’s efforts in women empowerment, setting a target to increase the number of women personnel to six percent by 2026. SSB women soldiers have participated in challenging duties like UN Mission and Amarnath Yatra.
Shri Amit Shah highlighted the Vibrant Village Scheme, a gift from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to border villages. He emphasized that SSB is playing a vital role in the overall development of villages, acting as a partner in border security.
The Home Minister mentioned the government’s campaign to fill vacant posts, distribute the workload of border security personnel, and provide benefits to NCC cadets and youth from border districts. He announced relaxation in age limits due to COVID-19 and reserved ten percent for Agniveers under the Agneepath scheme.
Shri Amit Shah discussed the revolutionary change in the criminal justice system through three new laws focused on providing justice to the people. These laws aim to complete the entire process after an FIR within three years, making India’s criminal justice system the most modern globally.
In various social and environmental initiatives, SSB has contributed to Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat Mission, water conservation, ban on single-use plastic, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. More than 5 crore trees have been planted through CAPF in the last 5 years.
Under Ayushman CAPF, cards have been given to more than 40 lakh CAPF personnel, 11,000 new houses built in the last 5 years, and about 52,000 vacant houses allotted through the e-Awas portal. The Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme has been made scientific, and rules for Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar have been simplified, providing substantial benefits to the personnel.
The comprehensive speech by Shri Amit Shah showcased the multifaceted contributions and achievements of SSB in securing borders, empowering women, promoting sports, and actively participating in social and environmental initiatives.