JAMMU: Kunwarani Dr Ritu Singh visited the Suchetgarh border, where she was accorded a warm welcome by the Commandant of the 165 Battalion and other personnel at Border Outpost Octroi.
Attending as the chief guest, Dr Singh witnessed the Beating Retreat Ceremony and interacted with officers, personnel and visitors present on the occasion.
She praised the discipline, courage and commitment of the men and women guarding the country’s borders, saying their service under difficult conditions deserved the respect and support of every citizen.
“Their courage, dedication and commitment to the nation deserve our highest respect. Every citizen must stand firmly behind the men and women who safeguard our frontiers,” she said.
Dr Singh said the ceremony was not merely a display of precision and discipline but also a reminder of the sacrifices made by personnel deployed in sensitive border areas.
She thanked the Commandant and the personnel of the 165 Battalion for their hospitality and said the visit provided an opportunity to understand the responsibilities and challenges faced by border-security personnel.
Highlighting the historical, patriotic and tourism significance of Suchetgarh, Dr Singh urged the people of Jammu to bring relatives, friends and visiting guests to the border area.
She said visitors should be encouraged to witness the Beating Retreat Ceremony and learn about the dedication of the personnel serving along the frontier.
Dr Singh said Suchetgarh had the potential to emerge as one of Jammu’s prominent tourist destinations because of its border history, patriotic significance, cultural heritage and spiritual importance.
She said increased visitor footfall could strengthen the bond between civilians and border personnel, promote local tourism, create livelihood opportunities and contribute to the economic development of surrounding villages.
Interacting with visitors, Dr Singh particularly encouraged families, students and young people to visit the border to gain a better understanding of national service, discipline and the sacrifices of security personnel.
During the visit, she also offered prayers and performed pooja at the Raghunath Temple in Suchetgarh. She prayed for peace, harmony, national prosperity and the safety and well-being of armed forces and border-security personnel.
Dr Singh said the Suchetgarh circuit offered visitors a unique opportunity to experience patriotic pride and religious devotion during the same journey.
She expressed hope that sustained efforts would develop Suchetgarh into a vibrant tourism destination while preserving its historical identity and dignity.
