Give best training,to BSF personnel: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI:Home Minister P Chidambaram today advocated the need for providing best training and working conditions for thousands of BSF personnel who work in extreme difficult conditions.

"We owe a duty to stand by them. We owe a duty to give them best training, equipment and best conditions given the fact that they operate in very hostile conditions...Not many have appreciated the tremendous efforts put by BSF men," Chidambaram said.

The Home Minister was speaking after inaugurating the BSF kala mela, a five-day exhibit at Lalit Kala Akademi, displaying 112 paintings and more than 200 sculptures made by 58 central para-military force men, women, family members and school teachers among others.

Praising BSF men for their work, Chidambaram said, "While media reports this and that, there are few who reports facts. About 1,678 BSF officers have made supreme sacrifice in the defence of the country."

He asked Delhiites to visit the exhibition and buy the products made by these personnel to support and encourage them.

"I sincerely hope that thousands and thousands of Delhiites will visit the exhibition. Delhi is a wealthy place and I am confident that they will come here and buy the products," the Home Minister said.

The BSF kala mela will end on May 29. Director General BSF Raman Srivastava, President of BSF Wives Welfare Association Anjali Srivastava, DG Indo Tibetan Border Police R K Bhatia and other senior officials were present during the function.