BSF first wall of defence of India: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, May 22: Praising the BSF for being the first "wall" of defence of the country, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said he gets "emotional" when he meets families of the troopers who give their lives in the line of duty.

Addressing the 13th Border Security Force (BSF) investiture ceremony here, the home minister said that "the BSF is not only a first line of defence, but also a first wall of defence".

"The forces get the sense of sacrifice when they have sense of national pride," the minister said, adding that the BSF is one such force where "the soldiers feel the border outpost is a home away from home".

Singh also decorated five BSF men with Police Medals for gallantry, and 25 others with Police Medals for meritorious service.

The BSF investiture ceremony is held annually on May 22 in remembrance of its founding father, K.F. Rustamji, who was born on this day in 1916.

IANS