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&MODERNIZATION 85
INNOVATION

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CIBMS BISAG

Comprehensive Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space
Integrated Border Applications and Geo-Informatics
Management System
Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG) is a
CIBMS improves situational awareness by state level Nodal Agency of Gujarat Government to facilitate the use of spatial and
integrating manpower, sensors, networks, geo-spatial technologies in satellite communication, remote sensing applications,
intelligence and Command and Control geo-informatics system, photogrammetry, global navigation satellite survey and land
Solutions to facilitate informed decision survey, disaster management technology transfer, value added service, education,
making. Components include the Virtual research and training.
Fence, Communication Backhaul and The BISAG platform is being used by several state government departments,
Command & Control System integrated educational institutions/universities and national organisations for broadcasting
with the sensors, Communication and their educational, developmental and welfare related activities. BISAG telecasts
intelligence (C4ISR system); Response the programmes from its studio at Gandhinagar and uses the SATCOM for distant
Mechanism etc. interactive learning/training in far flung areas and enables users to interact directly
with the programme anchor/participants of talk shows over telephone during
telecast. This facility is presently being availed by BSF for broadcasting welfare,
administrative and healthcare related programmes for troops deployed at BOPs and
various Units/SHQ under command free of cost. To watch these programmes one dish
antenna and set top box is required to be installed at user and i.e. at each BOP/HQ.

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DITS Integrated
OPS Room
Customized IT Solution
& Daily Intelligence The modernization of BSF Ops Room started
Tracking System in 2010 with a facility to communicate
directly with all frontiers and maintain
DITS is a technology ecosystem that allows incident data pertaining to operations.
timely retrieval of information which gives In 2014 the Operations Room was upgraded
the intelligence setup a strong technological to include Integration of IPP Ops Data with
capability in the form of a robust and intuitive BSF GIS; Automation of online data received
GIS platform. from field units; Advance query and report
generation; 3-D visualisation of ops data
Established at a project cost of 18.22 Crore on satellite imagery and Case study and
including installation and commissioning of animation of incidents.
hardware and software and establishment of
DITS centre at FHQ and Frontiers. The main
components of DITS includes Daily Intelligence
Tracking System (DITS); Electronic & Social
Media Monitoring; Intelligent Data Analytics
and Link analysis Toolkit (Prophecy) and the up
gradation of Intelligence Monitoring Room.

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Telemedicine MHA Grievances
Redressal
The Telemedicine team, with its control
room at FHQ Hospital, R K Puram, New Delhi, "BSF My App"
developed basic tele medicine platforms in
February 2015 which found a solution to the The Ministry of Home Affairs tasked BSF to develop a Shri K K Sharma DG BSF with Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh
difficulty in diagnosing medical problems as common Grievance Redressal System with a provision
BSF troops are deployed in remote areas. to continuously monitor and regulate the process.
Subsequently real time tele-medicine video Developed by BSF, the ‘MHA Mobile Application’
consultation between patient and specialists was inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Home Minister on
started in the month of December 2015. 11.05.2017.
The formal inauguration of Telemedicine
System in BSF was done by Shri Rajnath Singh, BSF also developed BSFMyApp which caters to service
Union Home Minister at HQ DG BSF on 26th and welfare related issues of the Force personnel,
Feb 2016. deployed in the field and addresses issues related to
144 field locations have been connected Pay, GPF, Leave, Deputation with an additional Financial
with the telemedicine Control Room while Literacy Module which facilitates investments.
4669 patients’ files have been uploaded and
specialist’s opinions conveyed. This has proved Shri K K Sharma DG BSF and D'sG of CAPF with Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh at
to be a big boon for BSF personnel serving in the launch of BSF App and MHA App for Grievance Redressal
remote and isolated borders of India.
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&TRAINING

SUPPORT UNITS

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Training underpins the holistic Adventure &
development of BSF personnel to help Advance Training
them fulfil their multifarious roles in the Institute
service of the nation. The Training Policy
of BSF encompasses a comprehensive Unarmed combat training BSF Institute of Adventure and Advance Training
repertoire of training courses specially (BIAAT) was set up on 7th Oct 2013 at Doiwala,
designed for imparting technical and Dehradun (Uttarakhand), to conduct Specialised Tactical Paragliding
practical combat skills in the early stages, Courses for BSF and other CAPFs/SPOs for Survival and Rappeling
management and administration skills in Rescue Courses in Hills/Mountains and High Altitude
the mid career phase and conceptual and Areas, Tactical Rock Craft for Border and LC Units,
strategic skills at the top level. Water Craft Training for Riverine Border Patrols and
Alpine Tactical Courses, Snow Craft and Adventure
BSF Academy Tekanpur, Central School of Training for Officers and Subordinate Officers. UAV
Weapon and Tactics (CSWT) Indore and Courses on Aerial Surveillance for BSF and other CAPFs/
Training Centre and School, Hazaribagh SPOs under BPR&D guidelines are also conducted. So far
have been recognised as Centres of 2293 personnel have been trained in the above courses
Excellence. including Adventure Training of 1335 BSF trainee Officers
and SOs. BIAAT has also developed as an elite Area
Kala Ground; drill sessions Specific Specialized Training Institute. Mountaineering

Subsidiary Training Centres Tekanpur Academy

Camel Contingent under training at STC Jodhpur Subsidiary Training Centres and Basic Training Centres Suraksha Bhawan; Headquarters of BSF Academy, Tekanpur BSF Academy, Tekanpur came into existence as BSF
for imparting Basic Training to Constabulary and various Training School in February 1966, was renamed BSF
94 other inservice and professional courses have also Academy on 21 Nov 1966 and is the alma mater of all
been established at Baikunthpur, Bengaluru, Chakur, BSF Officers. On 05 April 1972, Shri VV Giri, President
Churachandpur, Hazaribagh, Jodhpur, Kharkan, Srinagar, of India, visited the BSF Academy and inaugurated
Tekanpur and Udhampur. These include the Signal Training the Tactical Wing Building. Special Security forces
Schools at Tigri, New Delhi and Bengaluru established in of various countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
1970 and 1990 respectively for imparting training to the Fiji, Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Mongolia, Malaysia,
Communication manpower of BSF. The Signal Training Mauritius, Nepal, Switzerland and Sierra Leone have
School of Bangalore is ISO-9001:2008 certified. been imparted training in various fields at the BSF
Academy fostering good foreign relations.

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National Training BSF Institute of
Centre for Dogs Disaster Response

National Training Centre for Dog (NTCD) was set up in The BSF Institute of Disaster Response (BIDR) is a leading
1970 at Tekanpur and the centre supplies certified pups to agency for imparting training to the National Disaster
various Government Agencies on demand besides imparting Response Force and civil agencies. This institute has been
training to the dogs and dog handlers of BSF and other State earmarked as a Special Institute to MFR, CSSR, NBC and
Police. The dogs are trained in Basic Obedience, Narcotics & Dead Body Management Course and trains officers and men
Explosives Detection, Tracking, Guard Duties and Patrolling. inducted into NDRF Battalions.

Tear Smoke Unit Central Workshop
& Store
Tear Smoke Unit (TSU) is a riot control munitions manufacturing facility
established at Tekanpur on 12 May 1976 as a project of Ministry of Home The Central Workshop and Store
Affairs. This is one of its kind and one of the largest manufacturers of Tear (CENWOSTO) was established in 1971 at
Smoke munitions in Asia. At present, it has expertise in manufacturing 74 Tekanpur and fabricates spare parts for
types of riot and mob control munitions and the institute has lived upto its armaments and optical instruments and
motto of “Minimum Force Maximum Effect”. provides high quality non-lethal weapons
like Tear Gas Guns, MBL, Agnivarsha and
96 also handles their repair supplies arms,
ammunition to BSF, CAPF and SPOs.

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Central School of Training Centre & School
Motor Transport
Training Centre and School was raised on 18 November 1966 at
Central School of Motor Transport (CSMT) established at Hazaribagh and shifted to Meru, the present location, on 25 March 1967.
Tekanpur imparts training on Driving, Maintenance and It is a Centre of Excellence for Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism and
related disciplines of Road Transport. It is recognised as a Explosive Detection Training.
Centre of Excellence by MHA. A Ford A-1930 model Vintage
Birthplace of Janbaz Car with BSF participates every year in Statesman Vintage Car
Rallies since 1986 and has bagged several prizes and trophies.
CSMT also trains the Jaan Baaz BSF Motor Cycle Stunt team
which is showcased on Republic Day and other functions.

Birthplace of Seema Bawani Training session for Mongolian Border Guards Medium machine gun use; Improvisation for different battle situations Rope climbing

Central School of Weapon and Tactics

Central School of Weapon and Tactics (CSWT)
Indore is the oldest training institution which
was transferred to BSF on 01 June 1966 and since
then has trained more than 47,265 personnel of
BSF, CPOs and SPOs as also 180 personnel from
other countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and
Afghanistan in weapon training and tactics. It is
also ISO- 9001:2008 and ISO-14001:2004 certified.

Specialized weaponry lessons

Squad post training to imbibe theory CSWT conducts courses for all CPOs and SPOs TC&S conducts PT course for BSF troops, a test of resilience, agility and flexibility

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&CAMELRY, CAVALRY
CANINES

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Camelry masters of the Camel Band have contributed
to the growth and development of this unit.
The silhouette of camels standing close to "Beating the Retreat" is an eagerly watched
each other with the view of the Rajpath in show put up by the armed forces of India
the background never fails to appeal to the and the presence of ceremonially decorated
aesthetic sense of any observer and this camels with camel riders sitting on them gives
remarkable camelry is the pride of BSF. an amazing backdrop for that show.
The Border Security Force has an authorised
strength of 1200 male camels which serve for The visual appeal of the ceremonial outfit
about 15 years before they retire from active of BSF camels and riders is a stunning riot
service. The BSF Seema Praharis with their of colours and beauty and over seventy five
camel teams perform numerous duties in different dress items are used to ceremonially
sensitive zones near the 400 border outposts dress the camels and riders of the BSF.
in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Drills are repeated
through incessant practice while the systematic 'Camel shows' by the BSF are most sought
and methodical training by the handler after in many national and state events and
inculcates a sense of discipline amongst the include camel musical rides, acrobatics and
camels. The duty charter of the camel units the 'mashaal parade' (fire drill) which is
includes patrolling & surveillance and the invariably performed after sun set.
camels are utilized for hauling goods, arms and
personnel. The camels also act as good battle 103
cover in the desert sand as they can lie still on
their side.
Camel musical rides or the camel acrobatic
shows of the BSF are very popular and eagerly
awaited events in places wherever they are
organised. Besides the Republic Day Parade and
the BSF Raising Day Event, camel contingents
participate in various festivals and major events.
The Camel Band is a creative and innovative way
of presenting martial music and successive band

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Cavalry Shri K S Rathore, IPS, who succeeded Brigadier Pande as the
Director of the BSF Academy (1974-1977) was an accomplished
Horses of the Border equestrian champion and gave the horse unit at the academy
Security Force a much needed impetus

Horses and mules have always been 105
employed for transportation of persons,
goods and other resources, especially in
difficult landscapes. Keeping the crucial
and critical geographical aspects in mind,
horses are predominantly deployed by the
BSF in Punjab, Rajasthan and in the eastern
parts of India. Horses of the BSF are now on
numerous active duties in Punjab, Rajasthan,
North Bengal, South Bengal frontiers and
in some other places besides their dynamic
presence in the BSF Academy at Tekanpur.
As per official statistics, the BSF has an
authorised strength of 341 horses, of which
the Punjab Frontier has 211 horses and
Rajasthan has around 50 horses. The training
academy of the BSF at Tekanpur, near
Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has a sanctioned
strength of 40 horses. These horses in
Tekanpur are a part of the Academy,
imparting training in equitation to the officer
trainees of the BSF.
Horses and horsemen of the Tekanpur
academy are fully committed to excel in
several equestrian sporting specialities
like Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing,
Tent Pegging and so on. Another fact
worth noting is that a string of 20 horses is
currently stabled at Jaipur and a Polo team
of the BSF is being developed from the
contingent.

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Canines Over three thousand dogs and over five
thousand five hundred personnel have
The use of dogs for the purposes of law been trained in this premier centre for dogs
enforcement or security is a fairly common while a number of foreign trainees have
feature as dogs have a remarkable capacity been taught various aspects of dog training
to smell or sniff and hear many things which and use of canines.
most humans cannot and possess sharp
reflexes with amazing sense of accuracy. Trained canine unit are great help in areas of ops
The Border Security Force, established the
first National Training Centre for Dogs at Achievements of NTCD in
the BSF Academy at Tekanpur in 1970 which AIPDM
secured ISO Certification 9001-2008 and was
declared as a 'Place of Excellence' by the Gold Medals 58
Ministry of Home, Government of India in
2001. Silver Medals 35
The NTCD trained dogs have been making
a number of detections of explosives, Bronze Medals 19
contraband and other prohibited items.
In the last decade over 55 notable Team Championship 12
accomplishments are on record. Dogs
trained in NTCD have also shown amazing Dog of the AIPD Meet 03
results as reported from countries like
Nepal, Sri Lanka and Ghana. Over all Runner Trophy 14

Training Sessions at NTCD Tekanpur 107

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NEWSMAKERS 109

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Seema Bhawani

Women Power at The Republic Day Parade 2018

Along with their mandated tasks of Border Management, the during the International Women’s Day 2017 conducted and
women of the Force displayed their skill of amazing trick riding hosted by BSF at Connaught Place, New Delhi. The Central
on motorcycles in a feat relished by the entire country on 26th School of Motor Transport (CSMT) is the alma mater of Seema
Jan 2018. Bhawani and their male counterpart “Janbaz”.

The grand spectacle of the daring Mahila Constables of Border It has been a progressive growth for women in the BSF
Security Force with their unique taste for adventure sports left who began with medical, para medical and office duties
the audiences excited and thrilled at the Republic Day Parade and progressed to that historic day in July 2009 when 178
this year. The crowd applauded the nail biting spectacle of women recruits were inducted for General Duty. Women are
formation skills displayed by the women constables on 350CC now working as Officers, SOs and Constables as also in the
Royal Enfield motorcycle. Engineering and Communication branch. A BSF women band is
also being raised.
Seema Bhawani started in 2016 and demonstrated their skills

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Beating Retreat 115
Ceremony at
Attari Border

The Beating Retreat Ceremony with the BSF and
the Pakistan Rangers takes place every evening
before sunset at the Attari border, Amritsar since
1959. The ceremony starts with a blustering parade
by the Border Guards and ends up in the perfectly
coordinated lowering of the two national flags. Over
the years it has become a symbol of national pride and
a large number of people gather to cheer the BSF.

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Second Everest Expedition Joint Retreat
Ceremony at Fulbari
Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Hon’ble Minister
of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & On 27th April 2018, Sh K K Sharma, IPS, DG BSF and Maj Gen Md Shafeenul Islam,
Sports flagged-off the second expedition to Mount DG BGB inaugurated the joint retreat ceremony at Fulbari-Banglabandha in a
Everest on 20th March 2018. spectacularly grand and historic event for North Bengal. Both DGs inaugurated
the ceremony by unveiling the plaque and releasing balloons. Many dignitaries
The 25 member BSF Mountaineering Expedition team along with senior officials from both border guarding forces were present on the
led by Padma Shri Loveraj Singh Dharmashaktu, Asst. occasion. The ceremony was witnessed by more than thousand people including
Cmdt, paid reverence to the “Goddess of the Sky” by school children from both countries and is set to become a major attraction for
hoisting the tricolour and BSF flag. people on both sides of the border.

The BSF mountaineering team had earlier scaled Flag off by Shri Rajyavardhan singh Rathore, Hon’ble Minister of Sports
Everest in 2006 with a team led by Shri S C Negi DIG, and Youth Affairs (Independent Charge)
who at 56 years, became the oldest Indian and the
highest ranked Police Officer in the world to scale
Mount Everest.

New beginning

2nd Mt Everest Expedition 117

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OPS Rustam

Cease fire violations have been a prime feature of Pakistan
across the J&K Border in a bid to facilitate cross border
infiltration. A chain reaction of events which took place in
J&K started in July 2016 and accelerated after the Surgical
Strikes by Indian forces on 29 Sep 2016. This compelled the BSF
to repel any misadventure by Pak forces and it reviewed its
preparedness by launching Op Rustam, in the name of one of
the mightiest warriors and the founder of BSF.

Intelligence inputs after the Surgical Strikes suggested that
the Pakistan side had started their build up by augmenting
their forward posts on Jammu International Border by Rangers
and regular Army elements over a period of about 10-12
days. Consequently, the BSF tweaked its strategy to respond
proactively and positively to any nefarious designs by the
Pakistan forces. In the unprovoked aggression initiated on
19 Oct 2016, BSF troops of BOP Bobiya were fired upon with
automatic weapons and with two RPG shells. A befitting reply
by BSF troops however, forced the terrorists to retreat. On 21
Oct 2016, the sentry at the same mound of BOP Bobiya which
had repulsed the forced infiltration bid was shot dead by a
sniper shot. Aggressive retaliation by the BSF on the same day
left 7 Rangers and one terrorist dead.

The hostilities commenced with an unprecedented cross border personnel and injured 57 personnel other than devastating
firing by Pakistan forces on the International Border on 23 Oct damage to property, which compelled the Pakistan Rangers to
2016 and lasted till 01 Nov 2016. This Cease Fire Violation and start peace talks.
its befitting reply by the BSF witnessed the most aggressive
cross border firing in the decade. This was an undeclared small The skilful utilisation of tactical resources helped the BSF prove
scale war fought across the whole Jammu region. The suitably its worth as "The first Wall of Indian Defence" whilst making
aggressive reply by the BSF resulted in the loss of 16 Pak SF Operation Rustam a smashing success.

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OPS Arjun

Pakistan has consistently helped terrorists sneak into India
along the International Border in Jammu. When enhanced
surveillance and effective area domination patrols on the border
by the BSF made it impossible for Pakistan to push terrorists
into Indian Territory, a desperate attempt was made on 25
Aug 2017 when the Pakistan Rangers sniped at a BSF soldier
deployed on an observation post in RS Pura sector of Jammu.
Following this despicable act, Pakistan Rangers unleashed heavy
firing and shelling on BSF posts and Indian villages. The BSF
retaliated befittingly and three Pak Rangers were gunned down.

Having learnt from the past, the BSF was ready for effective
and robust retaliation and by concentrating on the desired goal,
planned and executed Operation Arjun in the most effective
manner.

On 13th Sept, Pakistan resorted to Cross Border Fire and sniping
on BSF troops once again and also started targeting civilian
inhabited areas in Akhnoor and Samba sectors. Cross Border
Firings and Cease Fire Violations became the norm while the
befitting reply by BSF witnessed the most aggressive cross
border fire exchange since October 2016. This resulted in
heavy mortar fire on civilian areas and high casualty figures.
In the month-long cross-border firing between August 25 and
September 24, the BSF killed seven Pakistan Rangers while as
many as 35 Pakistan Rangers were injured in BSF's retaliatory
firing. BSF firing also caused heavy damage to Pakistan security
posts along the International border.

Operation Arjun dramatically changed the situation, leading between BSF and Pakistan Rangers took place in the second
to the Pakistan Rangers initiating a request at the sector week of November 2017 after a gap of over one year with this
commander level and then at the level of Director General in unwarranted aggression as a focal point of discussions.
a bid to end the spiralling clashes. Director General level talks

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OPS Bhim 123

Infiltration, sniping and cross border firing has become a
regular affair on the Jammu IB with a constant high alert being
maintained in the region. The last misadventure of Pakistan in
Aug 2017 received a befitting reply at the hands of the BSF under
Operation Arjun and the Pakistan Rangers were forced to come
to the table for talks. Although the Rangers blinked first, it was
clear this was a temporary truce especially as January is a crucial
month in Jammu and the mischief makers are aided by cold and
foggy weather conditions. Proving these apprehensions correct,
the Pak Rangers started unprovoked firing in the Samba sector
on 03Jan 2018 and simultaneously attempted infiltration from
another area. The BSF thwarted these attempts and killed the
guide of the infiltrating party.
Alive to this constant threat, the Jammu Frontier launched
Operation Bhim under which the Tactical Headquarters of all
the battalions were established at the International Border and
a comprehensive retaliation plan was worked out diligently.
Detailed plans for each Pakistan posts were chalked out and
then discussed at the Sector and Frontier level. Separate control
rooms for the operation were established to coordinate the BSF
response for maximum effect.
As expected, at about 2220 Hrs on 17 Jan 2018, the Pak Rangers
started unprovoked firing and the BSF responded in a targeted
and deliberate manner so that the Rangers were pinned down
and confined to their posts. Unable to handle the BSF assault,
the Rangers were forced to open the entire front and a heavy
exchange of fire started on the entire IB. The BSF surgically
targeted Pakistan posts in retaliatory firing which resulted in
the death of 8 Pak Rangers/Regulars and injury to 15-16 Rangers
besides heavy collateral damage. On 22 Jan 2018, the Rangers
requested for a ceasefire, thus allowing the Republic day
celebrations to pass off peacefully.
With Operation Bhim, the BSF proved its worth to the nation
and the border population once again.

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MEDIA 125
COV ER AGE

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RELEASE OF BSF WIVES WELFARE ASSOCIATION
POSTAGE STAMPS

GOLDEN JUBILEE COMMEMORATIVE

The 50 Glorious Years of Service to the Border Security force (BSF), consisting of
Nation by the Praharies has also been 2.70 lakh dedicated members, is responsible
recognized by Department of Post, for securing India's borders along Pakistan,
implementing the instructions of Shri Bangladesh and in some places along the
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister Line of Control too. BSF is also known as
of Communication & IT, Government of "India's First Line of Defence".
India, by releasing BSF Golden Jubilee
Commemorative Postage Stamp. BSF Wives Welfare Association (BWWA) was
established on 18th September, 1992. It is a
It is for the first time in the history of BSF non-governmental organisation, registered
that a Commemorative Postage Stamp under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
was released to acknowledging the The main motive behind the establishment
Border Guarding efforts on the Eastern of BWWA was to provide vocational
and Western Borders of the organization. training to the wives of the serving and
martyred BSF soldiers. BWWA makes
The Postage Stamp will go a long way in them aware of the various government
showcasing the image of the Force and schemes. BWWA also never shie away from
will always encourage the committed providing help to the civilians and provides
Bordermen to perform their duties with scholarships to school going girls under
greater zeal and enthusiasm. the "Beti Bachaon Beti Padhao" campaign.
Further, 76 Ankur play schools are managed
130 by the association. BWWA also provides
support to the people in the wake of a
natural calamity.

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