Centre to provide compensation to villagers for land donated to BSF along IB: Dr Jitendra
Jammu, Nov 7: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh Friday announced that the Government of India would provide compensation to local residents for the land they had donated to the BSF for setting up pickets and other security establishments near the Indo-Pak International Border.
He said the district administration would work out the modalities of the compensation scheme for distribution of financial aid to the donors.
The Union Minister stated this while announcing a slew of measures, being taken by the government for the residents of border areas, after leading a ‘Padyatra’ (a foot march) in the border village of Londi More near the zero line on International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector on Friday, November 7, 2025.
The Padyatra was organised as part of the nationwide commemoration of 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram.”
Joined by a large number of students, BSF jawans, youngsters, women, public representatives, local administration and police personnel, Dr Jitendra led the ‘Vande Mataram padyatra’ from Primary School, Londi More amidst chants of the national song and beating of drums. The march culminated at Border Out Post (BOP), Tapan near the zero line.
Addressing a large gathering at BOP Tapan, Dr Jitendra underscored the significance of the national song Vande Mataram. He said the song played a historic part in the struggle for India's freedom.
He stated that invoking the motherland as the embodiment of strength, prosperity and divinity, Vande Mataram gave poetic expression to India's awakening spirit of unity and self-respect. It soon became an enduring symbol of devotion to the nation, he added.
The Union Minister underlined that in recognition of its historic importance and national significance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed nationwide celebrations to mark 150 years of the national song, Vande Mataram.
He said, “Today’s Vande Mataram padyatra in Kathua district is in line with the nationwide celebrations led by Prime Minister Modi from the national capital.”
Paying rich tributes to the BSF, the Union Minister said their service to the nation was monumental as it was because of their alertness on the border that citizens of India could sleep peacefully.
Dr Jitendra said through, the padyatra, he wanted to express his gratitude to the soldiers for their commitment and yeoman’s service to the motherland. Celebrating the commemoration of the national song in the company of soldiers, he said it was a gesture of gratitude to their unwavering nationalist spirit and a reminder of the deep sense of indebtedness the nation owes to them.
While spelling out slew of measures to be taken for border residents, Dr Jitendra also announced that the Government had decided to raise an all-woman battalion in border areas for which recruitment would commence soon.
Earlier, addressing a gathering at Primary School, Londi More before the start of the Vande Mataram padyatra, he said that the 150th commemoration of Vande Mataram was aimed at reconnecting citizens, especially the younger generation, with the true spirit and essence of the national song. He said Vande Mataram not only symbolised India’s hard-earned freedom but also reflected the values, cultural richness and civilisational ethos of the country. He noted that launching the campaign from the zero line near the International Border in Kathua carried a profound significance, as it was the very place where soldiers stood in steadfast vigilance to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.
Dr Jitendra said that the year-long celebrations offered an opportunity to the present generation to understand that the essence of Vande Mataram was not confined merely to the Independence movement, but was deeply rooted in protecting and preserving India’s cultural and national identity.
He further stated that since 2014, the government led by Prime Minister Modi consistently worked to reconnect the nation with its great national heroes who laid down their lives for the motherland. He said the commemoration of the 150 birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and 100th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee reflected the commitment of the current dispensation to honour India’s proud heritage and remember its icons with dignity and pride.
