Colourful camel-mounted band delights - yet again!

Said to be the only one of its kind, the popular camel-mounted band played the BSF's song "Hum hai Seema Suraksha Bal" at the parade on Rajpath. The camels, decorated in yellow and red cloth and colourful accessories, swayed as they marched.

If the novelty of marching camels delighted, so did the personnel astride them - all more than six feet tall and sporting long, thick moustaches! Clad in white pants, black boots and red coats and sporting saffron turbans, they sure made heads turn.  "How do the camels and the BSF men manage to get it so right year after year," marvelled 24-year-old Rohit Sharma, who was present at the parade.

While the band was led by Band Master Sub-Inspector Phoola Ram, Deputy Commandant Amol Singh headed the BSF contingent this year.

BSF units in Rajasthan's desert and Gujarat's Rann of Kutch use the camels to traverse inhospitable terrains. The unit has been instrumental in successfully tacking down smugglers and extremists in Rajasthan and Gujarat sectors.