NEW DELHI: For the security forces, receiving letters of appreciation is a major morale booster at any given time. However, the Border Security Force (BSF) has an admirer unlike any other. Given his age and the regularity of his fan mail, he is a big source of inspiration for the paramilitary force. So inspirational in fact, that 11-year-old Ravikar Reddy has the senior-most officer of the force as a pen pal!
It all began two years ago, when Ravikar, a 4th standard student at that time, read an article in a Telugu daily on the tough living conditions of BSF men. Moved by it, Ravikar began sending handwritten letters as well as emails to the BSF to express his gratitude. Since December 7, 2016, Ravikar has been sending letters, sketches and poems praising the valour of the men guarding India’s borders.
Ravikar’s hero worship of the force has not been without any reward as then BSF Director General (DG) KK Sharma invited the boy from Hyderabad and his family to visit the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan.
Last year on November 29, Ravikar was invited to take part in the Raising Day celebrations of the BSF in Delhi. “We were given a red carpet treatment by the Gods of the nation when we visited the Murar border,” Ravikar told The Sunday Standard.
“The country’s security forces like the BSF and the Army inspire me. It pains me a lot when I read about the martyrdom of soldiers. They are the Gods of our nation who protect the country from its enemies. I want to become the Director General of the BSF when I grow up.” Such is Ravikar’s devotion to the force, that he has repeatedly requested the BSF to accept the savings in his piggy bank.
Sharma, who retired on September 30, received wishes from Ravikar on the day of his superannuation and responded with a warm letter to his little pen pal thanking him for the “best retirement” gift ever.
On May 1, Ravikar wrote to Army chief General Bipin Rawat, expressing concern about the Army men posted in Kashmir. Though Ravikar is yet to get a response, he says he understands that the Army faces major challenges so the officers might not have time to reply. Ravikar says it was his mother Indu, who inculcated the habit of reading newspapers in him and also inspired him to express admiration for security forces. In fact, so full of zest is the little boy that it is hard to tell from the communication that in the end, who inspires whom.
IDOLISing men in uniform
■ Two years ago, Ravikar first read an article in a Telugu
newspaper on the tough living conditions of BSF personnel
■ Since December 7, 2016, the schoolkid has been sending letters, sketches and poems praising the valour of the men guarding India’s borders.