Talks between the two countries may not exactly be giving the desired results but there is at least something positive happening at the border. Following a proposal from the Border Security Force (BSF) made some time ago,the Pakistan Rangers have finally agreed to tone down aggression during the Retreat Ceremony,orchestrated daily by the two border forces. Adding more suppleness to an otherwise forceful-drill,India has also decided to depute women constables to perform the parade,witnessed by thousands during sunset every day. We had taken the unilateral decision to tone down the aggression during the drill a year ago. Now,Pakistan has also agreed to it, said IG,BSF,Himmat Singh,adding that the gestures during the drill would be more subtle,keeping the health and physical strains of the guards in mind. He also confirmed that the BSF women constables are also being deputed though Pakistan has no such plan so far. Though the BSF had deputed women for the first time on the border a year ago,their duties were confined to routine patrolling and controlling crowds during the Retreat Ceremony. But now they will be directly participating in the drill and they have undergone rigorous training to perform the parade, said another BSF official,adding that their focus is on coordination and control rather than unnecessary aggression,that has been lately inviting criticism from all around. The ceremony that sees the lowering of the Indian and Pakistani flags just before sunset has been an attraction for years. Though it is a symbolic un-hoisting of the flags,the drill had with time earned the tag of being one of the most aggressive drill of its nature witnessed anywhere in the world. Amid slogan shouting on both sides of the border,the guards of both countries display aggressive body language. There were various reports and complaints reaching us that it is too aggressive a drill, said DIG,BSF Mohammad Aqcuil,who is in charge of the ceremony. Aquil also said that following complaints of ankle and joint pains by the guards due to the force with which they stomp their feet,the force has decided to lay a new patch of road,with layers of specially designed rubber mats. Some work has been done and the remaining would be completed in the next a few days, he said. He reiterated that visitors at the ceremony would not be disappointed as the basic aim of ceremony is to lower the flags with full honours and necessary posturing and gestures would remain intact.
