Gurugram, April 24

For the first time in its history, the world’s largest paramilitary force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), commissioned 42 officers into the force through a webinar due to the Covid scare.

Trained at the CRPF officers’ training academy in Kadarpur village, Gurugram, the 42 trainee officers, including four women, dressed in their uniforms and additionally adorning masks and gloves took the traditional ‘antim pag’ (last step at the training institute) by stepping on a special doormat kept at the exit of the auditorium and embossed with these words in Hindi.

The trainee officers had completed their training on March 5. However, their passing-out parade (POP) scheduled for March 22 had been put on hold due to the pandemic.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy and CRPF chief AP Maheshwari addressed the young officers, seated in an auditorium, from their respective offices in North Block and Lodhi Road in Delhi.

They inducted this 51st batch of DAGOs (directly appointed gazetted officers) through the first-ever e-passing out parade that replaced the traditional way of holding a parade and ceremonial event under the sky.

The officers were administered the oath to serve the country. Later, the academy officials pipped ranks of Assistant Commandant on their shoulders. — TNS