CM Rekha Gupta Salutes ITBP on 65th Raising Day
Synopsis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta congratulated ITBP's Himveers on the force's 65th Raising Day on 24 October 2026, honouring their courage and sacrifice in guarding India's Himalayan borders since the force's founding after the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
Key Takeaways
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta posted a tribute on 24 October 2026 marking the ITBP's 65th Raising Day .
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police was established on 24 October 1962 following the Sino-Indian War .
ITBP functions as a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs , tasked with guarding India's northern Himalayan frontier.
Gupta praised the soldiers' 'indomitable courage, discipline, and dedication' in extreme high-altitude conditions and saluted their families.
Political tributes on CAPF raising days reflect sustained attention to border security as Himalayan frontier management remains a live strategic priority.
Sixty-four years ago, the guns of the Sino-Indian War had barely fallen silent when India stood up a new sentinel for its Himalayan frontier. On Saturday, 24 October 2026, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked the 65th Raising Day of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) with a heartfelt tribute to every soldier who guards those forbidding peaks.
Posting in Hindi on X, CM Gupta wrote: 'हिमालय की दुर्गम चोटियों और अत्यंत विषम परिस्थितियों में मां भारती की सीमाओं की रक्षा के लिए आपका अदम्य साहस, अनुशासन और कर्तव्यनिष्ठा राष्ट्र के लिए गौरव का विषय है' — 'Your indomitable courage, discipline, and dedication in guarding the borders of Mother India amid the treacherous peaks of the Himalayas and the most extreme conditions are a source of pride for the nation.' She extended her warm congratulations and good wishes to all Himveers — the force's celebrated title for its soldiers — and to their families.Born from the 1962 border war, shaped by the Himalayas
The ITBP was raised on 24 October 1962, in the immediate aftermath of the Sino-Indian War, with the specific mandate of securing India's northern borders along the Himalayan arc. Functioning as a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the force's area of responsibility stretches across some of the harshest terrain on earth — high-altitude passes, glacier approaches, and remote valleys where temperatures plunge well below freezing and oxygen thins to a fraction of sea-level levels. The nickname Himveer, meaning 'Hero of the Himalayas', captures the physical and psychological demands the posting places on every jawan.Why political tributes on CAPF raising days carry weight
Across the political spectrum, senior leaders regularly mark the raising days of India's Central Armed Police Forces — the BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, and ITBP among them. The gesture is more than ceremonial. It signals sustained political attention to border security and front-line welfare at a time when Himalayan frontier management remains a live strategic priority. CM Gupta's message follows that tradition, adding Delhi's voice to the national chorus saluting the force's six decades of service. 'आपकी वीरता, त्याग और समर्पण को संपूर्ण राष्ट्र का वंदन' — 'The entire nation bows to your valour, sacrifice, and dedication' — is how she closed her message. A line worth remembering the next time anyone asks what it costs to keep a mountain border safe.Point of View
Honouring a Himalayan border force carries particular resonance given the party's strong strategic-nationalism messaging. The tribute also implicitly frames the India-China frontier as a matter of ongoing public consciousness, not a resolved question — keeping border vigilance on the political agenda without requiring a specific provocation to justify the spotlight.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the ITBP established and why?
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police was raised on 24 October 1962 , in direct response to the Sino-Indian War , to guard India's northern borders along the Himalayas.
What does 'Himveer' mean in the context of ITBP?
Himveer means 'Hero of the Himalayas' and is the proud title given to ITBP soldiers who serve in extreme high-altitude conditions along India's northern frontier.
Which ministry controls the ITBP?
The ITBP operates as a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs , Government of India.
What did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta say on ITBP Raising Day 2026?
CM Rekha Gupta congratulated all Himveers and their families, praising their 'indomitable courage, discipline, and dedication' and stating that the entire nation bows to their valour and sacrifice.
Why do Indian political leaders issue tributes on CAPF raising days?
Tributes on Central Armed Police Force raising days are a longstanding tradition in Indian politics, signalling sustained attention to border security and the welfare of front-line forces at a time when frontier management remains a strategic priority.
