Shivraj Singh Chouhan salutes NSG on Raising Day
Synopsis
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan greeted the National Security Guard on its Raising Day, honouring the elite Black Cats force for embodying its motto 'Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha' — Best Security Everywhere — through decades of selfless counter-terrorism service.
Key Takeaways
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted a Raising Day tribute to the National Security Guard (NSG) on 16 October 2026 .
The NSG , known as the Black Cats , was established on 16 October 1984 under the Ministry of Home Affairs .
The force's motto is 'Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha' — 'Best Security Everywhere' — which Chouhan specifically invoked in his tribute.
NSG specialises in high-risk counter-terrorism operations including hostage rescue and anti-hijacking.
Chouhan's cross-portfolio tribute reflects a standard Indian political tradition of honouring paramilitary forces on their founding anniversaries.
Every year on October 16, India pauses to honour the men in black — and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan marked the National Security Guard (NSG) Raising Day 2026 with a heartfelt tribute on X, saluting the force's extraordinary dedication and selfless service.
Posting in Hindi, the senior BJP leader wrote: 'Rashtriya Suraksha Guard ke Sthapana Divas par sabhi veer jawanon ko hardik badhai evam shubhkamnayein!' — 'Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all brave soldiers on the Foundation Day of the National Security Guard!' He invoked the force's motto 'Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha' — 'Best Security Everywhere' — saying the NSG's personnel have written a new saga of courage and valour by living that ideal.
Who are the Black Cats?
The National Security Guard, popularly known as the Black Cats, is India's elite counter-terrorism unit operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Established on 16 October 1984, the force was built for high-risk interventions — hostage rescue, anti-hijacking operations, and neutralising terror threats that conventional forces are not equipped to handle. Their precision, stealth, and speed have made the Black Cats one of the most respected special forces in the region.
A cross-portfolio salute — and what it signals
Chouhan heads the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio, not Home Affairs — yet his tribute reflects a well-established tradition among Indian political leaders of publicly acknowledging the paramilitary and security forces on their raising days, cutting across ministerial boundaries. It is a practice that keeps the bond between elected leadership and the security establishment visible and warm. As Chouhan put it: 'Every Indian is proud of your bravery and sense of duty. Jai Hind!'
The salute lands on a day when the NSG's four-decade journey — from its founding amid a turbulent 1984 to becoming a benchmark counter-terror outfit — deserves every word of recognition it receives.
Point of View
Though issued from outside the Home Affairs portfolio, fits a deliberate pattern in Indian politics where senior leaders use raising days to publicly reaffirm the state's solidarity with its security apparatus — a soft but consistent messaging strategy. For the BJP, which has long positioned national security as a core identity issue, such cross-portfolio salutes carry symbolic weight well beyond ceremonial courtesy. The invocation of the NSG's Sanskrit motto adds a layer of cultural pride that resonates with the party's broader nationalist framing. Over time, these rituals also serve to keep internal-security awareness alive in public discourse, even in the absence of a specific operational trigger.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is NSG Raising Day celebrated?
NSG Raising Day is celebrated every year on 16 October , marking the establishment of the National Security Guard on that date in 1984 .
Why is NSG called the Black Cats?
The National Security Guard is nicknamed the Black Cats because of the distinctive black uniform and balaclava worn by its commandos during operations.
What is NSG's motto?
The NSG's motto is 'Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha' , a Sanskrit phrase meaning 'Best Security Everywhere', reflecting its mandate to provide the highest level of protection at all times and places.
Which ministry controls the NSG?
The National Security Guard operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs , Government of India, and is deployed for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and anti-hijacking missions.
Why did Shivraj Singh Chouhan tribute NSG despite being Agriculture Minister?
Indian leaders across portfolios routinely honour paramilitary and defence forces on their raising days as a tradition of national solidarity; Shivraj Singh Chouhan's tribute follows this well-established practice.
