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{{Use Indian English|date=May 2022}}
[[File:BSF-Republic day.jpeg|thumb|The BSF Camel Band during the annual [[Republic Day (India)|Republic Day]] Parade in 2004.]]
The '''Border Security Force Camel Band''' is the [[mounted band]] of [[Border Security Force]] of [[India]]. The 36-member camel band is one of two official [[military band]]s in the BSF.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/39521/border-security-force-bsf-camelry-camel-band/|title=Did you know The Border Security Force has a camel band? Here's all about BSF and Its Camels.|date=1 December 2015}}</ref> It was formed in 1986 at the Rajasthan Frontier as a result of a concept introduced by Shri Rathore.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/now-camel-carts-used-to-patrol-border-build-green-wall/story-gUVCj7d0ptF5jv5NKXrvIM.html|title=Now, camel carts used to patrol border, build green wall|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=4 July 2017}}</ref> It was the first camel mounted military band in the world to be established, being mentioned in [[Guinness Book of World Records]] as such.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/bsfs-camel-contingent-to-perform-at-republic-day-parade/articleshow/56410186.cms|title=BSF's camel contingent to perform at Republic Day parade - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xGYo-LPPRGUC&q=Border+Security+Force+Band&pg=PA29|title=Central Police Organisations|date=3 April 2005|publisher=Allied Publishers|isbn=9788177649031|via=Google Books}}</ref> It is currently the only band of its kind in the world. After its establishment, it engaged in three years of intensive training until its first performance in January 1990. Deen Bandhu was the first bandmaster of the band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/39521/border-security-force-bsf-camelry-camel-band/|title=Did you know The Border Security Force has a camel band? Here's all about BSF and Its Camels.|first=Aparna|last=Menon|date=1 December 2015}}</ref>

It consists of thirteen musicians mounted specifically on [[Arabian camel|Dromedary camel]]s. Its instrumentation includes a [[bass drum]], two [[clarinet]]s, a [[saxophone]], a [[trumpet]], a [[trombone]], all led by a director of music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.treefrogtreasures.com/p-22237-indian-border-security-police-force-camel-band-2015.aspx|title=Indian Border Security Police Force Camel Band, 2015|website=www.treefrogtreasures.com}}</ref>

==Republic Day==
It is one of the unique sights of the [[Delhi Republic Day parade]] and has been an annual participant since 1990. The only time it has missed a parade was in 2016 due to a lack of preparation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/no-camel-contingent-at-r-day-parade-for-first-time-in-66-years-304232-2016-01-17|title=No camel contingent at Republic Day parade for first time in 66 years |website=India Today}}</ref> In October 2019, the BSF protested the fact that it non-inclusion of marching contingent had only been asked to send its camel-mounted band to the Republic Day Parade.<ref>{{Cite news |title=BSF protests non-inclusion of marching contingent in RD parade 2020|newspaper=The Economic Times |agency=PTI|date=14 October 2019 |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/bsf-protests-non-inclusion-of-marching-contingent-in-rd-parade-2020/amp_articleshow/71581226.cms |accessdate=8 May 2022}}</ref>
Scouts and Guides for Animals and Birds with OIPA: Indian People for Animals, through Naresh Kadyan, Retired Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Haryana, moved PIL, before Hon'ble Delhi High Court, orders has been passed to be humane towards shifting of 100 Camels, from Rajasthan to Delhi, to take part in Republic Day Parade.

==Other events==
{{external media|video1=[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1cX8XPpvUSw NWI Exclusive Interview With Camel Mounted Band Of BSF]}}
It is a permanent feature in [[Rajasthan]] and [[Marwar]] festivals and has also participated in various [[military tattoo]]s. U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] lauded the performance of during his [[state visit]] to [[New Delhi]] on 5 November 2010.<ref>http://bsf.nic.in/doc/press/pr138.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi6nffiw8voAhUEMqwKHUNFAiUQFjAOegQIBRAJ&usg=AOvVaw08NZbs-b_bbyeUvODp0YIM {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2022}}</ref> 10 years prior, it took part in the [[Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo]] in [[Scotland]].<ref>http://bsf.nic.in/en/training.html {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2022}}</ref> Besides the Republic Day Parade, it participates in the BSF Raising Day Event. It has also participated in many festivals across the country. The band and the ceremonial BSF Camel contingent perform regularly at the Jodhpur Sthapana Divas, the Thar Mahostav at Barmer, the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, and the annual Camel Fair and Festival of Bikaner.<ref>http://bsf.nic.in/doc/press/pr209.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi6nffiw8voAhUEMqwKHUNFAiUQFjANegQIBRAC&usg=AOvVaw2uCwmg9AHjMjaMjyFRcAC7 {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Indian military bands]]
*[[Omani Royal Guard Military Band]]
*[[Life Guards' Dragoon Music Corps]]
*[[Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1986]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1986]]
[[Category:1986 establishments in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Indian military bands]]
[[Category:Mounted bands]]

Border Security Force Camel Band - Revision history

Bot at 09:44, 13 September 2022