CRPF decides to change its annual raising day event date

India's largest paramilitary force CRPF has decided to again change the date of its annual raising day event which will now be held every year on March 19, the day when the country's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel presented President's colours to it in 1950.
The force, in 2015, had changed the event date to July 27 to mark the historic day when its first battalion was raised in Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh on the same date in 1939, as the Crown Representatives Police (CRP) under the British rule.
Before this, the annual event to mark the force's raising day was held in November-October and till 1983 on October 31, the birth day of Sardar Patel. Due to the death of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on this day in 1984, the anniversary celebration date had to be changed.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General (DG) R R Bhatnagar attributed the latest change in date largely to weather-related issues.
"We have been in discussions for long to stabilise and finalise a day to organise the anniversary day. Holding the event in July was troublesome as monsoon rains hit the event which is celebrated outdoors with a ceremonial parade and awards ceremony.
"We will take the final approval from the Union home ministry to henceforth hold the event on March 19 when Sardar Patel presented the Presidential colours to the force in 1950," the DG told PTI.

The colours are considered to be the greatest honour bestowed upon a force or its unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered by it to the nation, both during war and peace.

The month of March, Bhatnagar said, was a good time when the weather is conducive to holding the event as there are no rains and the weather is pleasant.
The annual event witnesses the participation of thousands of troops who come to Delhi from various CRPF formations spread across the country and involves mobilisation of numerous resources.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to take the salute of the parade during the event next month that will be held at the Central Reserve Police Force officers academy in Kadarpur (Gurgaon) near here.
The CRPF is the country's largest paramilitary force with over 3 lakh men and women in various ranks as part of over 240 battalions. The force has been designated by the government as the lead internal security and anti-Naxal operations force.