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Journalism of Courage
Josh,says a sign on the wall along the training ground of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) headquarters in Araria. And that sign is among the few things left to motivate the personnel of SSBs 28th battalion deployed at Araria and Kisanganj along Indo-Nepal border after the Tuesday nights freak storm which wiped out almost the entire headquarters.
Offices,barracks,recreation facilities and the mess,all run from thatched or tin-roofed structures since the headquarters was established in 2006,have all been razed to the ground by the winds. As the tin roofs flew around on Tuesday night,the men saved themselves by hiding under the cots. Relatives are still calling us to know about our wellbeing. But thankfully,we are all safe, says Nayak Prahlad Chouhan.
Two days later,with their belongings and arms tucked away in tents,they try to rebuild the headquarters. This is important as it is at this camp,run from a 75-acre plot 9 km from the town,that the seven SSB companies in the region get their rotational training.
The men are deployed at 18 border outposts in Araria and Kisanganj to prevent smuggling and stop infiltrators along the porous border.
In the midst of all the activity,the offices of the Commandant and Deputy Commandant still show some signs of authority. Deputy Commandant K P Saklani hopes the headquarters would be back to normal soon.
They know they are supposed to work under adverse conditions,but some like Naik Rakesh Sharma think they should get better working conditions at least now.
