Republic Day 2023: First-ever female riders will take part in this year’s Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path as members of the Border Security Force’s Camel Contingent, dressed in specially-designed royal uniforms (BSF).Sonal, Nisha, Bhagwati, Ambika, Kusum, Priyanka, Kaushalya, Kajal, Bhawna, and Hina will be among the 12 women riding camels in the BSF Camel Contingent on January 26 as they march from Vijay Chowk to the Red Fort along the historic Kartavya Path route.
Uniform is styled with the striking Pagh
These female camel riders from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh will be marching on camels while wearing specially made royal ceremonial uniforms that represent the many priceless Indian craft traditions.The BSF stated that the 400-year-old Danka technique was used to create the textured fabric with hand-crafted zardosi work for the various trims from Benaras, and that “the uniform is styled with the striking Pagh – a turban, inspired by the heritage Pagh of the Mewar region of Rajasthan.”
First time BSF Mahila Camel Riders will march
In the Republic Day parade this year, which will also feature 27 tableaux of various States, Departments, and armed forces, the women’s Camel Contingent will be one of 16 marching contingents from the armed forces, Central Para Military Forces, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps, and NSS.“This is the first time BSF Mahila Camel Riders as part of BSF Camel Contingent will march on Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade,” said the BSF.
Riders have been chosen to march
During a video conference last year, MS Kheechee, the commander of the BSF Camel Contingent, reported that former BSF Director General Pankaj Singh had informed about the inclusion of female riders in the BSF Camel Contingent Parade for Republic Day celebrations.”In all, 24 women received training” (for riding on the camel). 12 of the 24 riders have been chosen to march in the BSF Camel Contingent’s Republic Day parade this year. The BSF Raising Day parade featured 12 women riders in total, according to Kheechee.
Since October of last year, these women riders, according to the officer, have received about five hours of training.Since 1976, the BSF camel contingent has marched in the Republic Day parade. 90 camels make up the contingent on average, 54 of which carry soldiers and the remaining six musicians.The Beating the Retreat ceremony, which takes place three days after Republic Day on January 29, also includes the Camel contingent.
Women are assigned to a variety of operational tasks
It took the place of an Indian Army squad that was comparable. Currently, only the BSF is authorised to use camels for both official and operational purposes in the nation. The international border between India and Pakistan in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert is patrolled by camels.The BSF has about 8,000 female soldiers out of its roughly 2.50 lakh total personnel, including about 140 officers, including subordinate officers. According to sources, the women are assigned to a variety of operational tasks, including night observation post duties and zero line patrolling. Along the India-Bangladesh borders, the Force has also set up all-female floating Border Out Posts (BOPs) under its water wing. Seema Bhawani is an all-female motorcycle team that performs daring stunts for the BSF.
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