Union Minister leads foot march near Zero Line on IB

As part of the nationwide commemoration marking 150 years of the National Song Vande Mataram, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday led a foot march in the border village of Londi Morh, near the Zero Line on the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.

Dr Singh announced a series of measures for the welfare of border residents, including compensation for locals who had donated land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for establishing pickets and other security infrastructure.

“The Union Government has decided to provide compensation to border dwellers who gave land for BSF establishments near the International Border,” Dr Singh said, adding that the district administration would soon finalise the modalities for disbursing the financial aid.

He also announced that the government would raise an all-woman battalion in the border areas, with recruitment to begin shortly.

Joined by a large number of students, BSF jawans, youth, women, public representatives and officials from the local administration and police, Dr Singh led the spirited Vande Mataram march from Primary School, Londi Morh, to the Border Out Post (BOP) Tapan, near the Zero Line. The event featured patriotic chants and drum beats throughout the procession.

Addressing a gathering at BOP Tapan, Dr Singh highlighted the historic and emotional significance of Vande Mataram, describing it as a song that “invoked the motherland as the embodiment of strength, prosperity and divinity.”

“Vande Mataram gave poetic expression to India's awakening spirit of unity and self-respect. It became an enduring symbol of devotion to the nation,” he said.

Paying rich tributes to the BSF personnel, the Minister lauded their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation. “It is because of their alertness on the border that citizens of India can sleep soundly,” he added.