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When we talk about the people who serve our country, the first thing that comes up on our minds are the brave and gallant soldiers who are constantly gambling with their lives on the frontline border defending us from the enemy threats, or The Indian Armed forces comprising of Army, Navy and Air officials along with Indian police forces fighting crime and restoring law and order in our nation. But have we ever wondered, about the 4 legged creatures who often silently help these officials carry out their duty with perseverance and without any margin of error? what about those unsung heroes who aren't humans but play the same role as an equivalent to a solider on the borders, involved in diffusing a fatal bomb.
It is high time we start acknowledging the predominant role played by our Canine heroes. This 76th Independence Day let's honor and salute those Valorous service dogs who are fierce, brave and ever loyal to our country men serving the nation in lustrous uniform. Its been more than 6 decades since dogs were fired pressed into service in the India army in the year 1959. And since then, hundreds of dogs depending upon their breed, nature and aptitude have been given vigorous training and expertise in explosive detection, mine detection, tracking, sniffing explosives including the improvised explosive devices, sniffing contraband items including drugs assaulting potential targets, avalanche debris detection as well as participating in search operation to locate hiding fugitives and terrorists. Army dogs are trained at the Remount and Veterinary corps center and school located in Meerut.
At present, many Army dogs are often deployed in counter insurgency area, whereas some service dogs help provide security to VIPs and guard strategic installation. Each army dog has a dog handler with him who is responsible for the wellbeing of the dog as also to guide it through various tasks that he has to perform.
DOGS NOTICE, THEY SHARE, THEY DRAW CONCLUSIONS, THEY LIKE IT WHEN THEY ARE ABLE TO BE OF SERVICE AND ARE TOUCHINGLY GRATEFUL WHEN THEY ARE PRAISED- ROBERT EBERT
A large number of service dogs in India have excelled in a large number of operational missions, receiving prestigious awards like The Shaurya chakra, Sena Medals and Chief of the Army staff's commendation cards, Vice chief of staff commendation card as well as General officer commanding in chief commendation cards in recognition and appreciation for their distinguished services. The dog handler is also eligible for the gallantry medals and have been awarded Shaurya chakra for taking part in operation with their dogs. The Indian Army has various breeds of Dogs in their units which include a large array of different breeds like Labrador, German shepherd, Belgian Malinois and great mountain Swiss dogs. A Man's most loyal friend is always there with the soldiers during rain, snow or any weather. Post dogs are the most important members of the family and they go for all operations with the troops like patrolling and ambush and are especially there during the emergencies like avalanche.
There are many such breeds of dogs who have helped our country men on the field. Now let's look at some of the Canine unsung Bravehearts who have made sacrifices for our nation.
A GOOD MAN WILL TAKE CARE OF HIS HORSES ND DOGS, NOT ONLY WHILE THEY ARE YOUNG, BUT ALSO WHEN THEY ARE OLD AND PAST SERVICE- PLUTARCH
In the year 2002, a dog named Bhawana detected an IED which refers to improvised explosive device (a simple bomb which is made and used by unofficial or unauthorised forces) while diffusing the IED terrorists triggered blast and the dog, Bhawana was martyred. One such similar incident happened in Chhattisgarh Bijapur, CRPF sniggers Dog 'Cracker' who was also martyred in IED blast. In the year 2006, a dog named Balarama helped in detecting a large number of Explosives end route the Holy Amarnath yatra which helped save lives of hundreds of pilgrims travelling to seek the devotees’ blessings. Recently too, the police station of Beed, Maharashtra bid adieu to their most popular service dog, "Rocky" who has helped solve more than 300 cases for the police. Other army officials recalled the work of "Roma" a tracker dog who alerted her companions and got a temporary camp evacuated in an avalanche damaged. "Gem" a famous Labrador of the Indian Army who is a trained assault dogs helped his fellow colleagues nab a militant who had escaped an encounter in North Kashmir. There are a number of similar stories about the valor if the canines, one of the most recent incidents which took place on 31st July 2022, was the untimely death of the Indian Army's elite assault dog named Axel who was killed in action, after being hit by bullets fired by terrorist during a gunfight at Wanigam Bala in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district. The Indian Army too paid Homage to the elite assault dog in a military ceremony. Before being hit by the bullets, Axel pinpointed the location of a holed-up terrorist and thereby protected a mosque in the vicinity.
In India, NDRF (The National Disaster Response force) has trained dozens of dogs for the role of disaster management and rescue missions. These dogs are experts in detecting alive persons under the debris in an earthquake of building collapses. Few of these dogs also happen to be the Indian breed dogs who are very good and competent moreover the cost of their upkeep is also quite less and they are also accustomed to the Indian conditions. Now our security forces have also indicated and trained Indian breed dogs in their dogs’ squads. Even the Prime minister of our nation, Shri Narendra Modi also advocates the country people to being one of the Indian breed dogs’ homes as pets, if they are planned on adopting a canine companion. The Indian council of Agricultural research is also conducting research on Indian breed dogs. Their purpose is to make Indian breeds better and more useful. If next time, you think of adopting a dog then you must definitely bring in an Indie breed dog home. When self-reliant India is becoming the core mantra of masses, then no area should be left behind.
DOG'S LIFE ARE TOO SHOET. THEIR ONLY FAULT, REALLY.- AGNES SLIMGH TURNBULL.
By our Member - Anusha Mangalvedhe (Get membership and feature your article. Check here)
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