Civic action programmes by CRPF 189 Battalion taken to a new height

Badal  Tah,Odishabarta

Rayagada, October 24: 189 Battalion of Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF), a para military wing of Govt of India, stationed at Balangir has gone beyond its primary and usual role of keeping peace and tranquillity in Bolangir by taking up slew of pro-people need based civic action programmes.

Recently it organized a Blood Donation Camp at its headquarters premises at Shantipara, which was inaugurated by Shri Pawan Kumari Tiwari, Commandant-189 Bn. In his Inaugural speech Shri Tiwari emphasized the need for more and more such camps in the backdrop of vast population of this regionbelonging to below poverty line and expressed satisfaction that CRPF was humbly working towards a social cause. The response of the officers and men of the Unit were overwhelming. Dr. Vinod Tandon, Dy. Comdt. was the first in the row in donating blood voluntarily. The officer set an example and encouragement for rest of the Unit personnel for donating blood. After this, there was a flood of blood donors. On this occasion total 36 CRPF personnel donated blood.Shri Tiwari expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Balangir Blood Bank team headed by Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jena and the electronic & print media personnel present on the occasion.

A week after this event, a Volleyball Tournament was also organized by this Battalion at its Headquarters Shantiparada. Renowned teams of Balangir city participated in this tournament. Balangir Fire and Emergency Services Volleyball Team, Balangir Volleyball Team, Lokpada Volleyball Team, Sibtala Volleyball Team and one team of 189 Battalion, CRPF participated in this tournament. It was inaugurated by Shri Pran Krishna Sahu, Second-in-Command. The officer accompanied by Volleyball Coach introduced the players one by one. The matches then began in order of the best of three under the supervision of a qualified referee. Eventually the Balangir Volleyball team was declared the winner. Shri Pran Krishna Sahu, Second-in Command, presented suitable prizes and certificates of appreciation to all players in recognition and encouraged them for their future on behalf of Commandant 189 Battalion. On this occasion Mr. Prasanta Patnaik, Odisha State Volleyball Coach, Mr. J.R. Parida, Inspector of Physical Efficiency, Distt-Balangir, Dr. Vinod Kumar Tandon, Deputy Commandant, Inspector P. Limsong and large number of CRPF jawans  witnessed the matches and encouraged the players. 

CRPF in our area have not only bridged the gap between public and the security personnel but also instilled a sense of confidence within us. They have maintained quality standards for the civic services they provided. Weaning away from the disturbing elements will not be far away if these services continue with the right kind of sensitivity and attitude exhibited by Sri Tiwari and his battalion. These civic action programmes have not only won the minds and hearts of local public but also paved a way for the local youth to get engaged in constructive activities rather than getting misled by fast denigrating ultra left extremism”, opined local emancipated citizens.