The 62nd Raising Day of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was celebrated with great enthusiasm, discipline and dignity in Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh.
1. The 62nd Raising Day of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was celebrated in a grand and dignified manner at the Centralised Training Centre (CTC), Sapri, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. The occasion was graced by Sanjay Rattan, MLA, Jwalamukhi; Ashok Tiwari, Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh; families of martyrs, retired officers, senior officers of the Force, serving personnel and their families, as well as representatives from the print and electronic media.
2. This was the first time that the SSB Raising Day Parade was organised in Himachal Pradesh. The ceremony commenced with the laying of wreaths at the Shaheed Smarak, paid homage to the 51 brave martyrs of the SSB who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. The Director General, SSB, Sanjay Singhal, inspected the parade and took the salute of the impressive marching contingent.
3. On this occasion, the personnel reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Force’s motto, “Service, Security and Brotherhood.” The SSB plays a vital role in guarding the 1,751 km India-Nepal and 699 km India-Bhutan open international borders, in addition to contributing significantly to internal security, anti-Naxal operations and special operations.
4. A total of eight marching contingents from various frontier formations and special operational units participated in the parade. The disciplined march-past by officers, subordinate officers and jawans showcased the Force’s high standards of training, professional competence and exemplary discipline. The performances by the Brass Band, Pipes and Drums Band and the Dog Squad were major attractions of the ceremony.
5. The impressive participation of the women platoon added special dignity to the event. The confident and powerful march with weapons by women personnel conveyed a strong message about the effective role and operational capability of women in the Force.
6. A special highlight of the ceremony was the Communication and Information Technology tableau presented for the first time by the Directorate of Communications, which effectively showcased modern communication systems, technological innovations and advanced information management capabilities.
7. Due to adverse weather conditions and a technical issue with the flying squad, Hon’ble Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah Ji unable to attend the programme in person. In his absence, his personal message was read out by the Director General, SSB. In his message, the Hon’ble Home Minister conveyed his greetings to all officers, personnel and their families on the 62nd Raising Day and appreciated the courage, dedication, discipline and invaluable contribution of the SSB in safeguarding the nation’s borders. He particularly highlighted the Force’s role in establishing security and trust among border populations even in harsh geographical and climatic conditions and paid tribute to the 51 brave martyrs.
8. In his address, the Director General, SSB, Shri Sanjay Singhal Stated that despite evolving border and internal security challenges, the SSB has established itself as a strong, capable and multi-dimensional force. He highlighted the Force’s contributions in border security, disaster management, anti-Naxal operations, women empowerment, excellence in sports, environmental protection and developmental initiatives. The Director General also expressed gratitude, on behalf of the entire SSB family, for the personal message from the Hon’ble Union Home and Cooperation Minister.
9. The Director General cited the induction of women personnel in combat roles, medal wins in international sports events and outstanding operations in Naxal-affected areas as examples of the SSB’s multi-dimensional capabilities. He expressed his appreciation for the dedication, discipline and commitment of all officers, personnel and their families.
10. During the ceremony, the Director General, SSB, felicitated retired officers, subordinate officers and personnel with the President’s Police Medal for their meritorious service during the years 2023 and 2024. For outstanding performance in Naxal-affected and special operational areas in 2025, the 29th Battalion, Gaya (Bihar) was also honoured.
11. The 50th Battalion, Uttraula (Uttar Pradesh) was awarded the “Best Battalion Trophy” on the India-Nepal border, while the 64th Battalion, Barama (Assam) received the same honour on the India-Bhutan border. The 42nd Battalion, Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh) - Rupaidiha BOP and the 64th Battalion, Barama (Assam) - Sukhanjuli BOP were honoured as the Best Border Outposts. 12. At the conclusion of the ceremony, thrilling displays such as the Rifle Tattoo Drill, Mass PT, Parkour Exercise and Dare Devils enthralled the audience.
A fusion dance presentation featured Himachali Nati from Himachal Pradesh, Chholiya dance from Uttarakhand, Tharu dance from the India-Nepal border region, Jhijhiya dance from the Mithila region, Bhutia dance from Sikkim, Bihu dance from Assam and the Lion Dance associated with the Buddhist tradition of Arunachal Pradesh. 13. On the occasion of the completion of 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram,” a special musical rendition of its tune was presented. The presence of SSB sportspersons who have excelled in