A closing ceremony of ITBP ‘Basant Mela’ was held at Seemadwar based ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) campus in Dehradun on Wednesday, and veterans along with a big crowd of visitors witnessed cultural show and dozens of stalls in the function. The chief guest for the function was former Director General, ITBP, RK Bhatia who applauded the efforts done by the ITBP personnel for safeguarding national boundaries.
“It is a matter of proud for alumni of the ITBP that the ITBP had played pivotal role for saving the lives of villagers who faced the brunt of natural calamities last year,” he reiterated, adding that the ITBP personnel have been always on the forefront for safeguarding our international boundaries even after facing highly adverse weather conditions especially in the tough hilly terrains of the country. Bhatia said that the ITBP personnel also brought several most coveted medals and awards and also urged from the gathering to burnt midnight oil to continue with spirit.
Dozens of eatable, apparel and game stalls, exhibitions and cultural programmes were the centre of attraction during the Mela. It is noteworthy that Basant Mela was inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar on February, 14. Hundreds of visitors enjoyed stalls of regional handicrafts, food pavilion, cultural programmes and attractive swings like Columbus boat, giant wheel etc.
It is also noteworthy that Dehradun based Sector Headquarter campus was inaugurated in the year 1977 on the day of Basant Panchmi. Marking the advent of spring, this colourful fair is being organised every year by the ITBP as a goodwill gesture to mankind and as a humble tribute to mother nature since then. Variety of stalls, exhibitions, amusement park, diverse and most entertaining cultural programmes received overwhelm response from the gathering. IG IS Negi, DIG Amit Prasad, DIG GP Upadhayay, DIG Rama Kant, DIG Ashok Negi, Commandant AK Singh and PRO Sanjay Bose were also present.