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United News of India
9 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
Punjab BSF celebrates Yoga day at JCP Attari
Chandigarh, June 21 (UNI) In a spectacular display of unity, wellness and patriotism, Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab celebrated International Yoga Day-2025 with theme Yoga for One Earth, One Health at Joint Check Post (JCP) Attari, Amritsar, with great enthusiasm. Over 1,100 participants, including BSF troops, Army officials, students, civil dignitaries and locals from border areas joined the celebration. The event was graced by Atul Fulzele, IPS, IG BSF Punjab, who led the occasion with his presence and inspiration. Certified yoga trainers conducted various asanas and pranayam sessions, emphasizing their benefits for a healthy body and a stress-free mind. The chief guest encouraged everyone to integrate yoga into their daily lives to promote holistic well-being and inner peace. In Chandigarh the Eleventh International Yoga Day with the theme, 'Yoga for One Earth One Health' was celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm by BSF troops and their families at Headquarters Special DG BSF (Western Command) Chandigarh located at BSF Campus Lakhnaur, Mohali. The function presided over by Pramod Kumar Yadav, IG (HR & Logistics) of HQ SDG BSF (Western Command). The troops committed themselves to unifying force of yoga and its myriad benefits including relieving mental stress, enhancing physical and muscular strength, maintaining balance, improving stamina, etc. which is the need of the hour. UNI GS PRS
India Today
20-05-2025
- India Today
Beating retreat ceremony resumes at Punjab border posts amid heightened security
The Beating Retreat ceremony, a symbol of military tradition and national pride, is set to resume at three key India-Pakistan border checkposts in Punjab: Attari-Wagah in Amritsar, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur, and Sadqi in Fazilka. This daily ritual, characterised by synchronised drills and the ceremonial lowering of national flags, was suspended on May 8, 2025, following Operation Sindoor, a decisive military response to the tragic April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 the suspension, while the flag-lowering continued without public attendance, the absence of spectators impacted local economies reliant on tourism. The resumption of the ceremony is anticipated to rejuvenate these communities and restore a sense of SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACEIn light of ongoing security considerations, the Border Security Force (BSF) has implemented specific modifications to the ceremony's proceedings. Notably, the international gates will remain closed during the event, and the customary handshake between BSF personnel and Pakistan Rangers will be adjustments aim to maintain the ceremonial spirit while ensuring the safety of both participants and Inspector General Atul Fulzele emphasised the importance of these measures, stating that while the ceremony's visual and emotional appeal remains intact, the priority is to prevent any potential security decision to keep the gates closed and suspend cross-border interactions reflects a cautious approach in the current geopolitical COMMUNITIES AND TOURISTS WELCOME THE STEPThe reinstatement of the Beating Retreat ceremony has been met with enthusiasm from local residents and tourists alike. For many, the event is not only a display of military precision but also a significant cultural attraction that draws visitors from across the country and businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and transportation sectors, are hopeful that the return of spectators will provide a much-needed economic visiting the Attari-Wagah border expressed their excitement about witnessing the ceremony firsthand. The event's resumption offers an opportunity for visitors to experience the pageantry and patriotic fervor that the Beating Retreat SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BEATING RETREATThe Beating Retreat ceremony has deep historical roots, originating from a 16th-century military tradition where the sound of drums signalled troops to retreat and return to their encampments at the Indian context, the ceremony has evolved into a symbol of the nation's rich military heritage and is performed with grandeur at various locations, including the India-Pakistan border event features elaborate drills, martial music, and the lowering of the national flag, fostering a sense of unity and patriotism amongst ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border, in particular, has become emblematic of the complex relationship between India and Pakistan, showcasing both countries' military traditions and the potential for peaceful daily ritual attracts thousands of spectators, making it a significant cultural event that transcends national Watch
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First Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
India-Pakistan tension: Beating Retreat resumes today at Attari, but without handshakes
The scaled-down version of the ceremony will begin at 6 pm, and unlike before, the gates of the two sides will remain closed, and BSF jawans will not shake hands with Pakistani Rangers read more A Pakistani Ranger and an Indian Border Security Force personnel perform during the 'Beating Retreat' ceremony at the border gates of Pakistan and India, at the Wagah border post near Lahore. Tensions between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals have soared since India accused Pakistan of backing a terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed in Pahalgam. AFP India will resume the Beating Retreat ceremonies at Amritsar's Attari border and Ferozepur's Hussainiwala border on Tuesday, but it will not be conducted as it used to be before its suspension following the Pahalgam terror attack. The scaled-down version of the ceremony will begin at 6 pm, and unlike before, the gates of the two sides will remain closed, and BSF jawans will not shake hands with Pakistani Rangers, Border Security Forces IG of the Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele, has said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The beating retreat ceremony has been a tradition between the two countries since 1959. According to protocol, both forces open the border gates each evening at the Attari-Wagah crossing, followed by a customary handshake. However, following the Pahalgam attack, the BSF opted to send a strong message by deviating from this practice. CDS, Army review border situation Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reviewed the situation along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Kutch. They also took stock of the air defence systems deployed in these regions under Operation Sindoor. Gen Chauhan inspected the military facilities at Suratgarh and Naliya, while Gen Dwivedi visited Longewala and various forward positions overseen by the Army's 12 Konark Corps in the desert sector. Last weekend, the Indian Army rejected reports from Pakistan that the ceasefire between the two countries was valid till May 18, saying that the understanding between the countries to stop military hostilities along the border is open-ended and is not bound by an 'expiry date'. 'As far as continuation of break in hostilities is concerned, as decided in DGMOs (directors general of military operations) interaction of May 12, there is no expiry date to it,' the army said in a statement. On May 15, the Indian Army announced plans to implement 'confidence building measures' (CBMs) along the Pakistan border to 'reduce the alertness level,' shortly after Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that the May 10 ceasefire had been extended until May 18.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Beating Retreat restarts today at Punjab border check posts
The 'beating Retreat' ceremonies will resume at Amritsar's Attari, Ferozepur's Hussainiwala, and Fazilka's Sadiqi border check posts along Pakistan on Tuesday, 10 days after the cessation of aerial warfare following Operation Sindoor . The flag-lowering ceremonies would resume at 6pm on Tuesday, said BSF IG of Punjab Frontier Atul Fulzele. The gates will remain closed, and BSF jawans will not shake hands with their Pakistan Rangers ' counterparts, he added. The decision has sparked hope among tourists. "We are lucky that BSF resumed the daily parade, and we will be able to see it and call it a complete Amritsar trip," said Bhavini Sen, a tourist from Gujarat. The local taxi and auto drivers, whose daily earnings depend heavily on the footfall at Attari, are equally happy. "For over a week, I barely earned anything because there were no visitors to Attari," said Arman, a taxi driver. "But I believe things are now returning to normal."
Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Punjab farmers allowed to access fields beyond border fence
Naushehra Dhalla: Farmers along the Punjab's 553-km border with Pakistan are breathing a sigh of relief as the Border Security Force (BSF) has given them a go ahead to resume agricultural activities in their fields beyond the border fence. The decision comes after the BSF sanitised the entire area beyond the border fence and declared it safe for the farmers to access their fields ahead of the paddy sowing season . BSF inspector general, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele informed on Monday that the BSF sanitised the entire area ahead of the border fence to ensure there were no explosives or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), making it safe for the farmers to resume work in their fields. "We also held meetings with the farmers across the border belt and informed them that the BSF had cleared the area. They are free to go and work in their fields at any time," said Fulzele. For the farmers who have their cultivable lands ahead of the border belt, the news is a lifeline. "We were staring at huge losses," said Manjinder Singh, a farmer from the border village of Naushera Dhalla. "Not being able to sow paddy would have ruined us. Thanks to the BSF, we can now work on our fields and secure our livelihoods," said Manjinder, who owns seven acres of land ahead of the fence. Such were the sentiments of Sukhjit Singh, who along with another farmer, Ranjodh Singh, went beyond the border fence on Monday. He expressed hope that they would be able to prepare their fields ahead of the fence by June 5, when the paddy sowing season begins — five days earlier than in the fields located on this side of the fence. Dharmainder Singh, a resident of Daoke village, said the timely intervention of the BSF had brought renewed hope to farming communities, who could now proceed with their agricultural activities without fear. "I went to my fields beyond the border fence, there is nothing to worry about. The BSF troops are always with us," he said. MSID:: 121270795 413 | Naushehra Dhalla: Farmers along the Punjab's 553-km border with Pakistan are breathing a sigh of relief as the Border Security Force (BSF) has given them a go ahead to resume agricultural activities in their fields beyond the border fence. The decision comes after the BSF sanitised the entire area beyond the border fence and declared it safe for the farmers to access their fields ahead of the paddy sowing season. BSF inspector general, Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele informed on Monday that the BSF sanitised the entire area ahead of the border fence to ensure there were no explosives or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), making it safe for the farmers to resume work in their fields. "We also held meetings with the farmers across the border belt and informed them that the BSF had cleared the area. They are free to go and work in their fields at any time," said Fulzele. For the farmers who have their cultivable lands ahead of the border belt, the news is a lifeline. "We were staring at huge losses," said Manjinder Singh, a farmer from the border village of Naushera Dhalla. "Not being able to sow paddy would have ruined us. Thanks to the BSF, we can now work on our fields and secure our livelihoods," said Manjinder, who owns seven acres of land ahead of the fence. Such were the sentiments of Sukhjit Singh, who along with another farmer, Ranjodh Singh, went beyond the border fence on Monday. He expressed hope that they would be able to prepare their fields ahead of the fence by June 5, when the paddy sowing season begins — five days earlier than in the fields located on this side of the fence. Dharmainder Singh, a resident of Daoke village, said the timely intervention of the BSF had brought renewed hope to farming communities, who could now proceed with their agricultural activities without fear. "I went to my fields beyond the border fence, there is nothing to worry about. The BSF troops are always with us," he said. MSID:: 121270795 413 |
