A contingent of 789 women constables passed out of the Central Industrial Security Force’s (CISF) Regional Training Centre (RTC), Arakkonam, on Sunday after 39 weeks training.
On December 29, the first battalion of 779 women trainees passed out.
For Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju the passing-out parade was special. “For the first time I have witnessed the largest contingent of women forces passing out. I have been attending passing-out parades of various Central forces in the last four years. This is by far the largest ever women contingent passing out,” he told reporters.
“It shows that India as a nation, and as a society, is progressing very fast. A large number of women passing out means empowerment of society. It symbolises the move towards equality. Women empowerment is a symbol of progressive society,” he further said.
Multi-dimensional force
Pointing out that CISF was a multi-dimensional force, he said, “The CISF has come out as one of the most professional armed forces in the country. They can be compared with any of the specialised forces in the world. The training standard is very good. The Home Ministry will see what more provisions, facilities and policies need to be done to improve the centre further.”
Speaking at the passing-out parade, he said CISF had more women when compared to the other paramilitary forces.
CISF Additional Director-General Alok Kumar Pateria said 2017 was marked as the Year of Training, and about 18,000 constable trainees, including 1,600 women constables, were recruited.
Weapon handling
Apart from physical training, women constables had been trained in handling and firing of weapons.
They were taught indoor subjects such as industrial security, aviation security, VIP security, human rights, terrorism, insurgency and naxalism.
Special attention was given for improvement of their soft skills to keep in line with CISF’s fundamental principle – Polite but firm on duty, a press release said.
Mr. Rijiju handed over prizes to trainees who had excelled in various fields — Indoor Best to Sajni, Firing Best to Lakkhi Shaw and Outdoor Best and All Round Best to Bandana Kumari.
The women constables performed daredevil acts such as rappelling demonstration and aerial yoga.
V. Khamo, deputy inspector general/principal of RTC, Arakkonam, was present.
