Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 10
Forum for Awareness of National Security held a seminar on “Border management and the role of veterans” here today.Forum head Indresh Kumar said for the social, economic and political development of India, it was essential that its borders were secured from cross-border infiltration and trafficking of humans, drugs, fake currency and weapons.He added that the Indian landmass had about 15,000 km border and 7,500 km coastline.Pakistan, having been defeated in successive wars with India, had resorted to a proxy war and was indulging in terror activities, the latest example being the attack on Pathankot air base.JK Grewal, president, Punjab Chapter of Forum, said retired Army personnel have rich experience and depth of knowledge. No amount of training and technical knowhow could replace their experience. He said the Armed forces were short not only on officers but also on foot soldiers.It would be fortuitous to engage them as a parallel force, in order to make use of their inputs to train and brain storm projects, he added.Anil Joshi, local bodies minister; Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, former state Cabinet minister; ML Kumawat, former DG, BSF; Maj-Gen Dhruv C Katoch and others, also addressed the gathering.