KULLU: Moving with the times and recognising varied roles women play in every walk of life, country’s security establishment has woken up to their capabilities.

Earlier this year, BSF began inducting women constables, primarily for frisking duties, checking human-trafficking and drug-peddling along the borders, and now Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is ready to introduce its first women’s battalion.

Around 600 women SSB recruits have gathered at Shamshi near Kullu, where they would undergo a three-month training, before assuming the role of border sentinels.

Having been on the look out for an opportunity to take up a challenging job, Kavita, a recruit from Haryana and a gold medalist in weight-lifting at the national level, is gearing up for the challenge to serve the nation.

“I know I have it in me. I am strong and have taken to task men who create problems for women. My fight against anti-social elements will be taken a step forward when I face terrorists and other violators of law on the borders,” Kavita said.

Roni Bala from Manipur, who also represented the country in weight-lifting, said, “I want to serve my country bravely.”

Sakun Shashker from Madhya Pradesh is looking forward to secure the nation’s borders. “I was also selected for Railway police, but duty on the border seemed more thrilling and adventurous,” she said. She said she was following her brother’s footsteps. “My brother is in SSB, who inspired me to follow suit,” Shashker said.

Chandravati Kumari is also following her brothers, who are in the army, and hopes to inspire women in her village to serve the nation. “My brothers’ uniform always attracted me. Now I am looking forward to completing the training and going home to inspire other girls in the village to join the armed forces,” said Kumari, adding, “We will definitely be role models for them and the thought thrills us.”

SSB DIG R S Pathania, while inaugurating the first training batch, said, “The move is a big challenge for SSB and I am sure our women will be as good as men in their new role.”
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