A commemorative postage stamp on the Diamond Jubilee of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 29, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on Diamond Jubilee of Sashastra Seema Bal and salutes its unwavering commitment of serving the nation.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Brahm Prakash
Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Brahm Prakash

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 307100

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Chinese aggression of 1962 gave a denting shock to India. The Indian policy makers and strategist were compelled to rethink about the national security vis-à-vis its neighbors particularly China. Besides addressing military issues, a need was realized for an out of box solution which led to the creation of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), a unique and unconventional organization, designed to work in the far-flung, strategic but vulnerable border areas, motivating the border population across several states to work as a cohesive population aware of the threats from across the border and ready to respond in their own way.
• The humble beginning of Special Service Bureau was made in 1963 under Cabinet Secretariat in Tezpur (Assam) and in the North-Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA), later re-named as Arunachal Pradesh. SSB soon spread out into North Bengal, Hills of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. In the next two decades, SSB extended its footprints to the border areas of Manipur, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Guwahati, South Bengal and Nagaland. Guided by its motto of “Service, Security and Brotherhood”, SSB soon became a household name in the border areas and it was better understood as People’s Force.
• SSB carefully identified the needs of the border people to provide medical, veterinary, infrastructural and several other civic programmes for the ill-provided and vulnerable communities along the border, generally away from the reach of Government agencies. SSB virtually became the face of the Indian Government in these areas. The border men and women volunteered to learn nation building and protection of the same.
• The Kargil war and its aftermath made the policy makers to go to the drawing board once again and the Group of Ministers recommended that the role of the SSB should be altered from “People’s Force” to “Men in Uniform” guarding 1751 kms long Indo-Nepal border. In 2001, the Special Service Bureau became Sashastra Seema Bal and its officers and men were seen going about their business now in fatigues. Later in 2004, SSB was also given the responsibility of guarding 699 km long Indo-Bhutan border. Working under the Ministry of Home affairs, SSB is now spread along the international borders in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and part of Arunachal Pradesh. SSB continues to carry the flavour of its old role as warriors of perception management. In recognition of its services, the President of India has presented Colour of SSB in 2004.
• SSB is in expansion mode by 2026. SSB will become formidable force providing opportunity to serve the nation to 1 lac personnel in various ranks. Today it is 89904 officers and men maintaining a vigil on 2450 kms long Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. The task of providing 24 x 7 vigil is not easy in difficult and diverse terrain ranging from Tarai region to the rainforests of Assam and high altitude inhospitable terrain of Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim.
• The SSB Jawan is a happy soldier, content with his job profile and welfare measures undertaken in the force. It is a force of choice for the border population of states in which SSB is deployed. SSB comprises six frontiers – Ranikhet, Lucknow, Patna, Siliguri, Guwahati, Tezpur, Eighteen sectors – Almora, Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gorakhpur, Bettiah, Muzaffarpur, Purnea, Ranidanga, Gangtok, Jalpaiguri, Bongaigaon, Rangia, Bezpara, Bomdila, (Spl. Ops.) Srinagar, Jammu, Gaya & Bhilai and 59 Battalions. 05 Battalions are in I.S. duties in J&K, 07 Battalions in Bihar, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh of LWE duties.
• SSB plays an important role in curbing anti-national activities (apprehension of third Country National, movement attempting illegal cross border) and cross border crime, be it FICN (Fake Indian Currency Note), narcotics, wild life trade, arms peddling, human trafficking etc. The presence of SSB has indirectly contributed to conservation of our pristine forests and wild life sanctuaries right from Uttarakhand to Arunachal Pradesh. SSB is deployed in the areas of several important wild life reserves like Manas National Park, Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Rajaji National Park, Dudhwa National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Raimona National Park, to name a few.
• SSB’s officers and Jawans have brought glory to the country and have earned 01 Kirti Chakra, 04 Padmashree, 06 Shaurya Chakra, 02 Presidents Police Medals for Gallantry, 25 Police Medals for Gallantry, 83 Presidents Police Medals for Distinguished Service, 551 Police Medals for Meritorious Service, 24 Prime Minister’s Medals for Life Saving, 2 Asadharan Surkha Sewa Praman Patra (Posthumously), 14 Sarvottam Sewa Praman Patra, 23 Uttam Sewa Praman Patra, 1592 Utkrisht Seva Padak, 768 Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak, 6 Jivan Raksha Padak, 22 Prakram Padak, 01 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and many other civil awards.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.

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