Latest news with #SashastraSeemaBal
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Drums, brass & brotherhood: The musicians of Sashastra Seema Bal
When 27-year-old Rohit Pandey joined the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), he never imagined his childhood love for singing would find a platform within the force. While military bands are typically associated with parades and formal ceremonies, the SSB band goes far beyond tradition (Sourced) 'I used to sing in school, but people would laugh at me. I thought they were appreciating me,' Pandey said with a smile. 'Later, I got a few opportunities to perform and received genuine praise. But that phase faded—until I joined the SSB in 2021.' At one of the force's events, Pandey sang in front of the Inspector General. 'He liked my voice and inducted me into the Jazz band,' said the Bihar native. 'I've been performing with the team ever since.' Like Pandey, 47-year-old Lalit Mohan Singh and many others in the SSB discovered their musical talents while serving. Singh's journey into music began in 2008, when the Lucknow Frontier's band unit was formed. Today, he leads a 22-member brass band. The SSB has three types of bands across its frontiers—Brass, Pipe, and Jazz—with 20 to 38 members in each. Most band members are trained musicians, selected either internally or based on prior musical experience. Some undergo 12 to 18 months of formal training at the SSB headquarters in Delhi. From remote Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border posts to civic events in bustling cities, the SSB band has struck the right chord—both musically and emotionally. As the world celebrates World Music Day on June 21, the SSB's musical units stand as a symbol of harmony, discipline and connection with the public. 'Formed to boost troop morale and bridge the gap between security forces and civilians, the SSB band is more than a ceremonial presence. It's a legacy in uniform, marching not just to the beat of a drum, but to the rhythm of national pride,' said Sanjay Ratan, inspector general, Frontier Headquarters, Lucknow. Band beyond the mission While military bands are typically associated with parades and formal ceremonies, the SSB band goes far beyond tradition. Whether stationed at a remote border outpost or performing in a shopping mall during the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, their music follows wherever duty calls. 'Our music travels with us—be it a village fair, a civic event, or a city concert,' said Singh.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ladakhi farmer's rifleman son commissioned as officer
Dehradun: Tsering Nurdup, son of a farmer from Ladakh and a former rifleman in the Ladakh Scouts, was commissioned as a lieutenant — realising a lifelong dream and bringing pride not just to his family, but to an entire region. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dressed in traditional Ladakhi attire, the Nurdup family stood out on the grounds of the Indian Military Academy's iconic Chetwode Drill Square on Saturday. As Lt Nurdup stood tall in his crisp ceremonial uniform, his mother clutched his hand — her eyes welling up with tears of pride and joy. For them, it was not just a passing out parade. It was history in the making. Born into a modest home with a father who tills the tough terrains of Ladakh, a homemaker mother and a sister serving as a clerk in the Sashastra Seema Bal, Nurdup's journey is a story of grit and unshaken resolve. His dream — sparked by the olive green uniforms around him — never flickered, even as he began his career as a rifleman. "Becoming a Class I officer in this prestigious institution was always my dream," he said, moments after the stars were pinned to his uniform, his voice steady but full of emotion. "For us Ladakhis, the Army isn't just a job — it's part of our identity. Whether it's the Indo-Pak wars or standoffs with China, we've always stood at the frontlines... And what matters more is our spirit — our willingness to serve, no matter the challenge. " Even as Nurdup's father looked on in awe, his sister said with a smile, "My parents can't understand much of what's being said here. But they understand this — their son is living his dream."
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Time of India
SSB thwarts smuggling attempt, liquor seized in Madhubani
Madhubani: Personnel of the 48th Battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), stationed at Jaynagar, thwarted a liquor smuggling bid early on Tuesday morning near Baldiha village (Balua Tola) under Jaynagar police station area of the district. The SSB jawans seized 833.4 litres of Nepali liquor, packed in 2,728 bottles, along with five motorcycles. The jawan during a patrolling spotted some suspicious activities in an agricultural field. Seeing the SSB personnel, the smugglers abandoned their bikes on which the liquor was loaded and fled. The seized items were handed over to police of Jaynagar police station for further action. Police are trying to identify the smugglers. This marks the second successful operation by the 48th Battalion in recent days. On June 8, the SSB conducted two separate operations leading to the arrest of three people and seizure of a significant quantity of liquor. In the second operation, two Nepali nationals were apprehended with 10 bottles of banned cough syrup.
New Indian Express
07-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Bihar police arrest fake Aadhar card racket helping Bangladeshi infiltrators
PATNA: Bihar police on Saturday arrested a key member of a racket involved in preparing fake Aadhar cards for Bangladeshi infiltrators to help them sneak into Indian territory. The racket was busted in Kishanganj district, and several high-tech materials used in creating fake Aadhar cards were seized. Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Manglesh Kumar raided a house in Malingaon village under Jiyapokhar police station limits and arrested one person, Asharful. However, two of his accomplices, identified as Jamal and Pankaj, managed to escape. During the search of Asharful's house, the police found an eye scanner, a printer, a finger scanner, fake seals, two mobile phones, several SIM cards from India and Nepal, Nepalese currency, and a four-wheeler bearing a West Bengal registration number. The presence of a vehicle registered in West Bengal has raised concerns among investigating officers. Superintendent of Police (SP) Kishanganj, Sagar Kumar, said the police began the investigation after receiving information about a well-organised racket operating from the district, which was involved in providing fake Aadhar cards and other documents to Bangladeshi infiltrators. A special team was formed for the investigation, he added. SP Kumar said Asharful provided fake Aadhar cards and other documents that allowed Bangladeshi infiltrators to enter Indian territory by posing as Indian citizens. He added that these foreign nationals also used the documents to claim benefits under government schemes. 'We have also informed other investigating agencies about the racket. Interrogation of Asharful will throw more light on the racket. Police have registered a case against four members of the gang and raids are underway to arrest them at the earliest,' SP said, adding that the documents seized during the raid are being verified. Police sources said several fake Aadhar cards and related documents were recovered from Asharful's house. A police team has been sent to other districts to collect more information about the members of the inter-state racket, sources added. SP Sagar Kumar said the arrest of Asharful would act as a deterrent to infiltration from Bangladesh. District police, in coordination with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), have launched an operation along the international border to prevent infiltration attempts. At least five Bangladeshi nationals have already been arrested while trying to enter Indian territory either from Nepal or Bangladesh, according to police sources in Kishanganj district. Kishanganj, which lies close to the Bangladesh border, is considered sensitive from a security point of view.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Chinese citizen arrested in East Champaran
Security forces in Bihar's East Champaran district arrested a Chinese citizen on Tuesday evening while he was attempting to cross the border at Raxaul along with a Nepali national. This arrest brings the total number of Chinese nationals detained on the Indo-Nepal border in recent weeks to five. On May 7, four Chinese nationals — He Qiangsheng, Huang Limin, Li Yonghai, and Deng Yijum — all residents of Hunan, China, were arrested in Raxaul town of East Champaran. Confirming Tuesday's arrest, Dhirendra Kumar, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Raxaul, said the Chinese national, identified as Hi Zeshi, son of Hui Zhizan, was arrested near the Customs office in Bharat-Nepal Maitripul while trying to enter India illegally with a Nepali citizen. 'While the Chinese citizen was found attempting to enter Indian territory without valid documents, the Nepali citizen was arrested for facilitating his illegal entry,' said the SDPO, adding that further investigation is underway. This arrest follows a recent spate of such incidents on the Indo-Nepal border. On April 25, an American citizen, identified as Eitan Ben Shahar, was detained near the Indian customs office at Raxaul for attempting to cross into Nepal without valid documents. In response to the increasing number of arrests, the Chinese embassy in Nepal recently issued an advisory on May 30, urging its citizens to avoid traveling near the India-Nepal border. The advisory came two days after two more Chinese nationals were apprehended by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at the Pipraun check post along the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's Madhubani district. Despite repeated warnings from the Chinese embassy, some Chinese nationals continue to enter the sensitive border region, leading to their detention for illegal entry. Earlier, personnel of the 48th SSB Battalion spotted two Chinese nationals standing on a culvert in no man's land while filming the Indian territory. When asked to stop and show their mobile phones, the duo appeared unable to understand the instructions. They were subsequently handed over to Harlakhi police station for illegal entry. During preliminary questioning, they identified themselves as Wu Hailong (38) from Dalian City in Liaoning Province and Sheng Jun Yong (30) from Xiuning in Anhui Province. Superintendent of Police, Madhubani, Yogendra Kumar, said a team of interpreters had to be called in from Delhi by an intelligence agency to assist with their questioning during police remand, as the duo could barely understand English or Hindi. In such cases, agencies like the Intelligence Bureau (IB) or the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) may assist by providing interpreters or arranging virtual translation services, according to informed sources. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) typically informs the Chinese embassy in New Delhi of any such arrests. The embassy may then seek consular access to meet the detained individuals and provide legal assistance, including support for securing bail. (With inputs from Bishnu K Jha)
