Visitors throng CRPF stall at Pragati Maidan trade fair

NEW DELHI: While droves of people reach the India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan to indulge the shopaholics and foodies in them, Sube Singh Raawat was one of the many visitors at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force Wives Welfare Association stalls who took pride in the work done by these paramilitary forces.

The CRPF stall, right outside hall 12, had the special weaponry used by their Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) commandoes in insurgency hit areas, and other equipment used by Rapid Action Force (RAF) jawans in riot like situations to disperse crowds on display. The CRPF band also performs at their stall regularly, entertaining the crowds waiting in line to get in the stall and hear about the forces and see their armaments.

Raawat, a teacher who had come with his colleagues and 46 students from the JS Convent School in Palwal, had to wait in the line for almost 15 minutes to get inside the stall. He wanted to show the kids the weapons used by the CRPF paramilitary forces, after which he even posed for a photo with a COBRA commando.

“When we hear of our forces and the sacrifices they make, we get goosebumps. We are safe in our country and our borders are secure because of them. We wanted the kids to see and experience firsthand what they do,” explained Raawat.

Next to the CRPF stall, the BSF Wives Welfare Association (BWWA) have also set up shop selling products made by the wives of BSF martyrs.

We are safe in our country and our borders are secure because of them. We wanted the kids to see experience this firsthand. SUBE SINGH RAAWAT, a teacher