New Delhi: Known to be a tough task
master, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram showed his softer
side while inaugurating an ITBP welfare exhibition here on Thursday.
What really attracted Chidambaram at the exhibition
showcasing the skills of the families of the Indo-Tibetan
Border police personnel was a white soft toy and a Rudraksh.
While he took the soft toy in his hand, he minutely studied
the beads that made up the Rudraksh for about a minute.
Chidambaram, who smiled and visited each stall while
the media jostled to get a perfect shot, also wondered what
kind of gear are worn by the jawans posted on the Sinho-Indian
border.
During his address, Chidambaram who had also
inaugurated a coffee table book, said ITBP personnel "work
under perhaps the most difficult conditions for any
paramilitary force, along the India-China border, at great
heights, under extreme adverse weather conditions.
"The officers are posted and work round the clock. I
just saw a picture of officers and men treading knee deep
through snow... I wondered what kind of footwear they had,
what kind of clothes they wear."
The exhibition was organised by Himveer Wives' Welfare
Association (HWWA), the welfare arm of the ITBP on the
occasion of the Force's 48th Raising Day celebrations.
President of the welfare association Soni Shrivastava
said the last one year has seen the kitty of HWWA growing to
Rs 50 lakh from Rs 8 lakh.
-PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 03, 2009, 23:52