CRPF with IIT-Delhi, DRDO to create pool of 500 high-tech experts

Facing challenges in J&K as well as Maoist-affected states, CRPF has planned to create a pool of high tech experts "from among its officers" to update their skills in handling unprecedented situations

Facing emerging challenges in conflict-torn and insurgency hit Jammu & Kashmir as well as Maoist-affected states, the CRPF has planned to create a pool of high technology experts "from among its officers" to update their skills in handling unprecedented situations.

The paramilitary force, which is the lead internal security force of the nation with its over three lakh personnel actively deployed in several theatres and regions across the country, in the process aims to train 500 officers having graduate degree in engineering.

A pioneer batch of 40 engineering graduate officers and subordinate officers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with right aptitude and potential will undergo three to six months' certificate course under Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi's continuing education programme to achieve the goal.

The CRPF said that the move is needed amid growing challenges and engagement with technology which entails that the force remains updated not just with most recent technologies and gadgets but also with the technical expertise required by its personnel.

"This will equip the CRPF personnel with unique skills, capabilities, and knowledge to tackle complex challenges, meet operational and strategic needs and enhance competitive advantage," CRPF DIG M. Dhinakaran told IANS.

Furthermore, the officer said, a few selected officers from this trained batch will undergo higher degree courses at IIT-D. "These trained officers will also act as tech advisors to the force."

The officers of CRPF trained by IIT-D will also be associated with joint research projects undertaken by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IIT-D in the field of defence and security tech solutions.

As per another officer, the force has made persistent efforts at keeping pace with the latest technologies by adopting them in its core functions.

The initiative is an effort to "create a pool of highly specialised technology experts from among its officers".

"And when it comes to technology, where to look other than the citadels of tech and research - IIT Delhi and DRDO."

To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between CRPF and IIT-Delhi and DRDO on Saturday.

V. Ramgopal Rao, Director IIT-D and Dr A.P. Maheshwari, Director General CRPF along with senior officers of the paramilitary wing were present at the event where Prof Naresh Bhatnagar from IIT, Sudhir Gupta DG TM DRDO, Dr M.H. Rahaman, Director JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee) and Nalin Prabhat, IG (Operations) CRPF signed the MoU at Senate Hall, IIT-Delhi campus.

The CRPF DG thanked IIT-D and DRDO for the collaboration and congratulated the force personnel on getting this valued platform to gain coveted tech expertise.

Maheshwari further said that this initiative "aims at capacity building for optimal utilisation of police technologies and will also help in integrating with DRDO labs for realistic indigenisation of technologies on internal security grid".

"The initiative will also provide operational feedback on futuristic technologies enabling IIT tech experts towards proactive Research and Development."

As more than 500 officers and security officers are holding degree in engineering, the initiative would provide the force with a wide scope to train them in varied field of technologies.

(Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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