Sashastra Seema Bal Raising Day
By Dr Arvind Kumar
20th December marks the 49th Raising Day of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which was set up in early 1963 in the wake of the Indo-China conflict to inculcate feelings of national belonging in the border population and develop their capabilities for resistance through a continuous process of motivation, training, development, welfare programmes and activities in the border areas. In the past forty-nine years of its existence, SSB has endeavoured to present a benign face of the government among border populace in the far flung and inaccessible areas subscribing to the ethos of Service, Security and Brotherhood. The local populace always found SSB standing steadfastly with them during difficult times. Pursuant to the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on reforming the National Security System, SSB was declared as a border guarding force and lead intelligence agency (LIA) for Indo-Nepal border (January, 2001) and Indo-Bhutan border (March, 2004).
Presently, SSB is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) of the Union with us charter and role and are the Border Guarding Force for the open and porous Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders, as well as the lead intelligence agency for the same area.
There are new emerging challenges to India’s national security. It is in this perspective that the Sashastra Seema Bal has been mandated to guard these borders and curb infiltration, smuggling and anti-national activities along these porous borders. The officers and jawans of the SSB perform the assigned task with due diligence and dedication while continuing to adhere to its motto of service, security and brotherhood.
