New Delhi: On 24th May 2024, BSF personnel were awarded medals and honored by Ajit Doval, KC, National Security Advisor, who presided over the 21st BSF Investiture Ceremony as the Chief Guest. A total of 17 members of the force were decorated with medals, with 10 members awarded Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG) and 7 members awarded Jeevan Raksha Padak (JRP). During the ceremony, retired DsG/IsG of BSF, DsG of CAPFs, serving officers from different Ministries of the Government of India, and representatives of print and electronic media were in attendance with the BSF fraternity.

The Investiture Ceremony is a momentous occasion marking the deep-seated affection and respect for the first Director General of BSF, Padma Vibhushan K F Rustamji. BSF has been organizing the Investiture Ceremony on the occasion of the birthday of K F Rustamji since 2003.

Welcoming the Chief Guest, dignitaries, and all those present at the venue for the occasion, Nitin Agrawal, IPS, DG BSF, first paid rich tributes to the valiant bravehearts of the force who made the supreme sacrifice while safeguarding the sovereignty of the motherland. Emphasizing the constant endeavor of the force in preparing itself in terms of strategy, infrastructure, weaponry, and training, DG BSF referred specifically to the various operational achievements, with a special mention of a recent successful anti-Maoist operation, in which BSF troops, along with DRG, eliminated 29 hardcore Maoists in the Kanker area of Chhattisgarh and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition. The Director General also spoke about the ‘Soldierly Traits and Visionary Leadership Skills’ of the first Director General of BSF, Padma Vibhushan K F Rustamji, who is popularly referred to as the “Founding Father of BSF.” DG BSF also referred to various initiatives undertaken by BSF troops in border areas to build goodwill and gain the confidence of the border residents, which include medical camps, educational programs, sports competitions, adventure boot camps for children at border posts, etc.

Chief Guest Ajit Doval, NSA, paid glowing tributes to the brave seema paraharis who have laid down their lives in the line of sacred duty in protecting the nation, along with those who have made the force and the country proud with their operational performances despite the challenging work conditions. The Chief Guest also highlighted the exceptional role of BSF in upholding the sovereignty of the nation by effectively ensuring the sanctity of the international border as well as various deployment scenarios of internal security. The Chief Guest also delivered the Rustamji Memorial Lecture.

Ajit Doval, KC, National Security Advisor, awarded medals to the following BSF personnel and their next of kin:

Police Medal for Gallantry

1. Late CT S Ramakrishna
2. Late CT (Cook) Baban Saha
3. Late HC Chandrapal Singh
4. Late SI Mahendra Yadav
5. CT Harikesh Meena
6. Late SI Bhuru Singh
7. Late CT Raj Kumar
8. Late SI Rakesh Dobhal
9. HC (TA) Naseeb Singh
10. CT (ORA) S Rajesh Kannan

Jeevan Raksha Padak (JRP)

1. CT Ajay Kumar
2. AC/MO Dr. Himanshu Saini
3. CT M Uma Sankar
4. ASI/Min Karambir Singh
5. SI Balbir Singh
6. ASI/PH Darpan Kishore
7. HC Vinod Kumar
   
   /BI