Why in news:

• The Indian army and Border Security Force (BSF) along with Seemjan Kalyan Samiti have planned a grand celebration on the western border in order to mark the golden jubilee celebration of India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War on December 16.

Key Points:

• A motorcycle flag rally and motivational seminars are being organised to mark the significance of the occasion. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Victory Pillar of 1971 war in Tanot.
• The samiti has organised seminars and a motorcycle marathon rallies in various border towns including Chandna, Myazlar, Ramgarh, Mohangarh to celebrate the occasion and ignite patriotism among the masses.
• Hundreds of bikes decked with the national flag took part in the Tiranga Rally, which started from Ridhwa village passed through all Shakti centres in Badoda, Mulana, Dawda, Dhaisar, Delasar, Karmon ki Dhani before concluding in Chandhan, where villagers welcomed them by showering flowers.
• In a bid to inspire the local youth, the Samiti encouraged them to adopt Swaraj, Swadharm, Swabhasha and Swadeshi.
• 166th Battalion BSF commandant, addressing at the event said that various programmes will be organized in Tanot-Kishangarh area on the border to mark the demonstration of bravery and valour of the Indian army and the BSF during the 1971 war.
• The Indian army has decided to forego any mega celebration following the death of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat.
• However, a few programmes have been scheduled at the War Museum to pay tribute to the martyrs.
• In Barmer too, Thar ke Veer and Akhil Bhartiya poorva Sanik Seva Parishad will organize programmes where the Indian Army, BSF and police squads will give guard of honour and lay wreaths for the martyrs.
• The municipal council will also felicitate the families of the martyrs. Many serving officers of the army, air force, BSF and war veterans will attend the ceremony.

Border Security Force (BSF)

• The BSF is India’s border guarding organization on its border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of the Union of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Other Central Armed Police Forces are: Assam Rifles (AR), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), National Security Guards (NSG) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
• It was raised in the wake of the 1965 War on 1 December 1965 for ensuring the security of the borders of India and for matters connected therewith.
• The BSF has its own cadre of officers but its head, designated as a Director-General (DG), since its raising has been an officer from the Indian Police Service (IPS).