R-Day Celebrations 2023: Mahila Praharis In Regal Attire To Be Part Of BSF Camel Contingent

The first-ever women contingent of the Border Security Force's Camel Contingent will participate in Republic Day celebrations in regal attire riding camels along with their male counterparts.

The famed Camel Contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF), which has remained a part of the Republic Day celebrations since 1976, will witness the participation of its first-ever women contingent in regal attire riding camels along with their male counterparts.

BSF South Bengal Frontier deployed Mahila Praharis this month to protect the international border passing through the marshy and inaccessible Sundarbans area surrounded by vast dense forests and rivers.

The uniforms for the Mahila Praharis have been designed by renowned designer Raghavendra Rathore showcasing the many treasured craft forms of India.  The attire has been assembled in-house at the designer's Jodhpur studio.

The uniform of Mahila Praharis for the BSF Camel Contingent has been crafted bearing the sartorial and cultural elements of Rajasthan’s history.

The outfit has been designed keeping in mind the functionality, privilege, and honour of wearing one of the National Forces’ Uniforms which resonates with the iconic RRJ Jodhpuri Bandhgala that is stately, classic and elegantly personified.

It is to be noted that the textured fabric with hand-crafted zardozi work done for the various trims from Banaras is done in the 400 years-old Danka technique, reported ANI.

The uniform is styled with the striking Pagh – a turban, inspired by the heritage Pagh of the Mewar region of Rajasthan.

The Pagh is an essential element of the cultural clothing of the people of Rajasthan, and the ones worn and tied in Mewar are signs of one’s prestige and honour.

With the construction of land border outposts (BOP) not feasible in the area, BSF maintains a round-the-clock vigil through floating BOPs. BOP Ganga, one of the six new floating BOPs of BSF deployed, has now been fully entrusted with the responsibility of security on the shoulders of Mahila Praharis.

This is the first time in the history of BSF that a platoon of Mahila Praharis has been deployed for border patrolling and operation of a Floating BOP in difficult terrain like the Sunderbans. Their deployment will be especially helpful in preventing smuggling by women smugglers, said BSF.

(With Agency Inputs)