Younis Ahmad Kaloo

Security is an ever-changing landscape which demands that security agencies, too, adapt to this diversification and strengthen their capacity both at training level as well by equipping themselves with modern weapons and equipments. However, this time, one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has decided to equip its soldiers with a different weapon altogether - the weapon of language.

ITBP personnel during training

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), post the 70-day standoff in Doklam which saw Indian armed forces and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China coming face to face, has now decided to teach Chinese language to its recruits. This is to overcome the language barrier for the soldiers stationed along Sino-Indian border.

With two inspectors and as many soldiers having already completed the course and who are currently posted at the borders, around 25 soldiers and officials of the ITBP will pursue a one-year certificate course at the Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district.

According to the university registrar, Rajesh Gupta, the course will be helpful for the border-guarding force, which has to deal with the Chinese-speaking people along the border.

“Our course is designed as per the needs of the ITBP. Besides learning the Chinese language, the course also provides them an insight into Buddhism,” the registrar said. He further said the course will also help the ITBP personnel in communicating with the followers