ROLE OF INDIAN VETERINARIANS IN WARFARE, EMERGENCY & NATION BUILDING

Veterinarians of India are at the forefront during warfare and emergency apart from its other major role in nation building . He is uniquely qualified to fulfill an array of roles in Army and para military forces apart from preventing disease and healing animals. Over the years, veterinary professionals have played considerable and contributory roles in animal and human health and welfare, food security, food quality and safety, ecology, ethology, epidemiology, physiology, genetics, psychology, drugs and pharmaceuticals development, biomedical research, rural development, as educators, trainers, and policymakers, economic development through livestock production and management and in wildlife conservation, and the protection of the environment and biodiversity, safeguarding our country by preventing the threat of bio terrorism . In all areas of the profession, they have a sea of opportunities and responsibilities to improve the health and welfare of animals, and therefore, to improve the health of humans hereby serving our nation.

In the same way that the military needs doctors, nurses, and lawyers, it also needs veterinarians. Recall the brave horses used in the cavalry through the ages, and the courageous explosive detection dogs saving lives today. This is an important part of the job, providing top-of-the-line medical and surgical care to military working animals of a variety species.

In order to maintain proficiency for treating military animals, military veterinarians also provide veterinary services to military family pets at bases all over the world. The surgeries performed and illnesses evaluated for a soldier’s pet keep the veterinarian prepared to deal with a sick or injured working dog in a combat environment.

Along with the military animals and family pets, Army veterinarians also play a big role in supporting the public health mission for the community. They work with physicians and preventive medicine experts to develop zoonotic disease prevention strategies, especially focusing on rabies in areas of the world where that is still a serious concern. They also supervise teams of food inspection soldiers who ensure that all the food sold to military service members and their families comes from safe sources and is stored and prepared appropriately.

Veterinarians provide homeland security. The Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC), one of the oldest services of the Indian Armed Forces. The Corps contributes to the logistic needs of the Armed Forces, is proud of its highly competent and well organized infrastructure in the equine and canine fields. RVC is responsible for breeding, rearing and training of equines for the Army. It provides animals (generally mules) to the Animal Transport (AT) Units and horses to the President Body Guard as well as other Cavalry Units

REMOUNT VETERINARY CORPS———

The Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC) is one of the oldest formations of Indian Army. The corps was raised in the year 1779 in Bengal and was called the “Stud Department”. In 1920, Army Veterinary Corps (India) was established which was changed to Indian Remount and Veterinary Corps in 1950. However, it was finally named as Remount & Veterinary Corps when Military Farms separated as an independent corps in 1960.

The corps has actively participated in both the World Wars. Post-Independence, it took active part in all the conflicts or wars waged against the sovereignty of India. RVC units were actively involved in Sri Lanka as part of the IPKF. Duringa the Kargil conflict, the corps comprehensively met the operational requirements of animal transport (AT) at far-flung posts. The corps was awarded the Colours by the President of India on December 21, 1989 in recognition of its glorious contributions to Indians Army. In consonance with the duties and role entrusted to it, the corps has the motto: “Pashu Seva Asmakam Dharma” (Service to Animals is our Duty).

Today, RVC has a well-organised infrastructure in the field of equine and canine breeding, rearing, care, management and disease control training. The corps is the source of specialised dogs, horses and mules to be used in Army, Navy, Air Force, para military forces, Police and CISF. The corps prides itself as the largest breeding and training organisation of equines and canines in the country.

The corps has proved its mettle in training of dogs in the specialised fields as tracking, explosive detection, mine detection, avalanche rescue operation, search and rescue, infantry patrolling and guarding. To check out thefts and pilferage, the Army dogs are being trained in Crude Oil Leakage Detection (COLD).

The corps is actively engaged in conduct of several high-tech applied research projects sponsored by the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, JALMA Institute of Leprosy and National Institute of Immunology.

The corps boasts of a Central Military Veterinary Laboratory (CMVL) which is the only laboratory of its kind to undertake applied research in relation to animal diseases, disease diagnosis and nutrition in addition to routine diagnostic work. CMVL has been aptly recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture as a national referral Lab. The laboratory is in the process of upgradation to P4 bio-safety level to handle emerging diseases and pathogens. The corps is responsible for veterinary public health throughout the Army and carries out inspection and certification of food products and items of animal origin. Provisioning of veterinary cover to Army animals deployed in inhospitable terrains is the responsibility of RVC.

The RVC detachments have become an integral part of the Indian contingents in the UN Mission Peace Keeping Forces at UNIFIL (Lebanon), UNMIS (Sudan) and UNMEE (Ethiopia and Eritrea). RVC officers and personnel have contributed at the grassroot level in the war-ravaged nations. These personnel have created an everlasting imprint on the minds of local population, providing avenues for economic growth where deployed. The efforts of RVC teams have been appreciated by their respective Force Commander/Sector Commander’s and the Ambassadors of the Indian Missions in these countries.

The corps has been actively involved in the humanitarian programmes. It has organised numerous vet aid camps under operation Sadbhavana in remote villages of the far-flung areas throughout the country. Relentless efforts have received an overwhelming response from the militancy affected area. The corps has been actively participating in the Pacific Partnership Missions with USS to help Tsunami affected coastal countries in Asia. Recently, the RVC team aboard USS Palliieu undertook a mission to seven countries with a multinational team.

The RVC officers and PBOR have won number of medals. These include one Arjuna Award, one Shaurya Chakra, five Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Sena Medals (Distinguished), twelve Ati Vishisht Seva Medals and fifteen Vishisht Seva Medals in addition to one OBE and one MBE to Indian RVC officers during the British rule.

Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) is responsible for breeding, rearing and training of equines for the Army. It provides animals (generally mules) to the Animal Transport (AT) Units and horses to the President Body Guard as well as other Cavalry Units.

RVC is controlled by Additional Director General who functions under Quarter Master General’s (QMG’s) Branch. It has two Equine Breeding Studs (EBS) at Hissar and Babugarh for breeding of horses and mules and two Remount Training School and Depots (RTS&D) at Hempur and Saharanpur for rearing, training and issue of remounts. With expansion of breeding base in 1985,these depots are now performing the role of breeding also. The Corps has one RVC Centre and School at Meerut for imparting training to Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks of RVC and other Arms/Services and one Record Office at the same station.

One of the oldest services of the Indian Army ‘The Remount Veterinary Corps’ (RVC) who celebrated its 237th raising day in last june 2018 at the headquarter of the Northern Command in Udhampur. .RVC is the premier agency engaged in breeding, rearing and training of Army Dogs. In Northern Command, these dogs are deployed for guarding, tracking, mine detection, explosive detection, search and rescue and avalanche-rescue and Infantry patrolling duties .The sterling performance of the Silent Warrior (Army Dogs)” under the challenging conditions has transformed them as force multiplier and carved a niche for the RVC and Indian Army.

To recognise the excellent work done by Army Dogs and their handlers in The Army’s Northern Command, eight units have already been awarded with unit citation by Army Chief, Army Commander and the Governor”.

Till date, a total of two Sena Medal, 83 Chief’s Commendation Cards, two Vice Chiefs Commendation Cards and 284 Army Commanders Commendation Cards have been awarded to the dogs and their handlers.

Corps has excelled in ensuring high standards of health and fitness of Army animals in most difficult and hazardous terrains and adverse conditions through state of art fully equipped Army Veterinary Hospitals located in various parts of Northern Command.

They have played a major role in providing succor to the needy under operation Sadbhavana by organising veterinary aid camps, training courses and free treatment to civil animals, thereby made invaluable contribution in achieving the stated objective of winning the hearts and minds of local populace.

RVC in Northern Command in collaboration with DRDO have a breeding project of Zanskar Pony (Animal Transport). These ponies are being trained and inducted in Ladakh Scouts.

RVC has also contributed immensely in the field of public health by ensuring high standards of foods of animal origin and control of various diseases.The men and animals deployed in inhospitable terrain have fulfilled their responsibilities with distinction.

The core values of professionalism, hard work and selfless dedication of officers and men have been most admirable.

We as a true Indian is grateful to Remount Veterinary Corps for their dedication, high degree of professionalism and excellence in performing their duties in difficult and inhospitable terrain conditions in the Northern Command

The RVC is one of the oldest services of the Indian Armed Forces. The Corps has responsible for animal based logistics and operational support to combat teams. The Corps has divergent role which involves breeding, rearing, training the animals (horses, mules, dogs etc) for the Army, their health management, treatment, immunization and also tactically employing them for the military purposes.

The Corps contributes to the logistic needs of the Armed Forces in the equine and canine fields. The breeding of specialist horses for equestrian sports and training of dogs to meet the emerging security needs has, of late, acquired particular significance.

ROLE OF RVC—-

Its role includes:-

 Specialized and technical mandate related to all Army animals.

 Breeding, procurement, rearing, training and issue of trained Army Equines.

 Disease diagnosis, investigation & research in emerging diseases & treatment of sick animals.

 Maintain liaison with national bodies on matter related to animal health, disease and research.

 Inspection of food items of animal origin (meat, fish and poultry) for prevention of zoonotic diseases.

 Conduct Military & Technical Training.

 Training of Riders and Army Dog Trainers of Army & CAPFs.

 Procurement, rearing, breeding, training & issue of Horses & Mules.

 Provide Remount Veterinary element to other services & organisations.

Military Veterinary Hospitals in peace and Mobile Field Vet Hosp (MFVH) and Advance Field Vet Hosp (AFVH) in field areas are the Vet treatment centres. Army Dog Units are placed under Operational Wing for the purposes of deployment.

Qualified male veterinary graduates are eligible for the grant of SSC in the rank of Capt in the RVC. Commission is granted initially for five years subject to fulfillment of other conditions. This is extendable for another five years, subject to performance.The candidate should be registered with the Veterinary Council of India/State Vet Council.

Vet Officers are posted in Animal Transport units, Military Farms, Supply Depots and RV NCC Units. The officers at staff level are also posted in Div HQ/Area HQ and Commands.

There are five paramilitary forces—the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)—under the home ministyr’s direct control, out of this all has veterinary services wing where vets are deployed to manage dog and equine breeding centres and provide animal health cover and surveillance

INTRODUCTION :

Veterinary wing of SSB was introduced in the year 1989, with the objective for providing free of cost veterinary cover to the poorest of the poor living in the far – flung border areas and was creating awareness on scientific animal husbandry practices among the youths and farmers, by organizing short term courses/ Work – shop on various topics on live – stock management.

VCA has helped SSB in establishing rapport at grass root level and thus winning over confidence and trust of border population for getting valuable intelligence input by area wing.

As a border guarding Force under MHA, SSB Veterinary Wing is performing dog training and breeding activities, providing riding and animal transport support to assist the human security element in border guarding units and also conducting veterinary civic action camps under perception management activities/programmes.

ROLE OF VETERINARY WING IN SSB:

1. Maintaining Dog Squad / AT units/ Riding Horse units.

2. Carrying out dog squad & Animal Transport/Riding Horse unit related training

3. Breeding of dogs for fulfilling its own requirement and also in respect of CAPF/State Police.

4. Care & Management of Force Animals.

5. To carry out Veterinary Civic Action/Artificial Insemination Programme in the bordering villages on Indo-Nepal & Indo-Bhutan border.

National Ttraining Center for Dogs———-

National Training Centre for Dogs was established in the year 1970. NTCD is a premiere institute of Government of India functioning under Border Security Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It has been declared Centre of Excellence by MHA in 2001 and awarded ISO certification 9001-2000 in the year 2006. The centre is devoted to imparting training to dogs and handlers of various Central Police Organisations, State Police Forces and other law enforcement agencies of India and other Foreign Nations.

Aim

To train dogs and dog handlers for BSF, CPOs, SPOs & Law-Enforcement agencies of India and other foreign nations and to do Breeding of Dogs.

Objectives

• Train dogs and dog handlers

• Train persons in kennel management and care of dogs

• Train BSF/CPOs Veterinary Officers in dog handling and management

• Incorporate latest training techniques and devise training as required

• To breed, rear pedigreed pups and train them

Training

The training of the dog starts at the age of six to nine months. Dogs and Handlers are imparted training in disciplines as specified and demanded by their respective departments. The training of the Dog and the Handler is conjunctive in nature and no leave of any kind is allowed during the course of training. Only midterm break of 5-7 days (depending on course duration) is permitted once during the course. At the end of the course the Dog and the Handler have to qualify in the written and practical test in order to be certified as a trained dog and handler. The training period can be extended (minimum 12 weeks) if the performance of the Dog and/or Handler is not found satisfactory at any stage during the course.

NTCD is carrying out scientific breeding of dogs in its fully equipped breeding centre. Pure bred, pedigreed and quality pups are supplied to Govt. agencies on demand. The cost of pup of six month of age is 16,000 Indian rupees. Till date 1025 pups have been allotted to various agencies.

To provide holistic and wholesome healthcare to the dogs, a Veterinary Hospital is functional round the clock under supervision of well qualified Veterinary and Para Veterinary staff. All modern facilities for treatment and prophylaxis are available in the hospital which include following:

• Well equipped laboratory with facilities of blood, stool & urine examination and cultural sensitivity tests, etc

• Modern Radiography & Sonography facilities

• Small animal surgical theatre

• Segregation kennels for sick animals

Breeding Centre:-

NTCD carries out breeding of dogs under supervision of qualified veterinary and trained para veterinary staff. The breeding is aimed at qualitative production of of pups of labrador, Alsation, Belgium Malinois and Doberman by selection of dam & sire who are ‘True to the Breed’.

The breeding centre is fully air conditioned with Labor rooms Whelping rooms, Puppy rooms for different age groups and Rearing rooms with adequate playing area.

The pups produced in breeing centre are utilized for training by alloting them to various state police and central armed police force as per demand received from them.

BSF Camelry——

In India, camelry dates back to the time of Maharaja Rao Jodha of Jodhpur in the early 15th century. In A.D. 1465, the Maharaja’s son Rao Bika had an altercation with him and left Jodhpur with 100 camels to set up his own kingdom. He chose to reside in the area which is present day Bikaner. The new kingdom was named after him and the proprietor of the land, Nera, who was a Nehra Jat. After that, there is no mention of camelry until the time of Maharaja Ganga Singh in A.D. 1880. The Bikaner Camel Corps came into being under him and was also known as the Ganga Risalaamelry became a part of the Artillery Regiment, with 13 Grenadiers and 17 Grenadiers being the new camelry units of the country. When the camels were a part of the Indian Army’s Grenadier units they participated in the wars of 1948 and 1965. The Border Security Force was established in 1965 and, soon after, the Indian military camels were dispatched to them for training and security duties. The BSF camels played a major role in the war of 1971. But it was in 1976 though that the BSF was first able to showcase its camelry contingent at the Republic Day parade on Rajpath in New Delhi,

Camel training and performance

The Border Security Force has around 1200 male camels on its rolls. Camels are acquired at the age of 5 and are enrolled after a formal veterinary inspection. On average, a camel serves in the force for 15 years, retiring from active service at the age of 20 or 21. The BSF has primarily three subtypes of dromedary camels – Jaisalmeris, which are sturdily built; Bikaneris, which are high speed runners; and the Nachnas, which are used for ceremonial duties.

The Camel Training Centre is located at the BSF Frontier Headquarters at Jodhpur. Intense training is given to the camels as well as their riders here. The rider has to know how to handle and take care of his camel properly. The camel has to be trained to trust its rider and do the various tasks it is commanded to do.

Camels are intrinsically lethargic animals. But they are extremely shrewd and have a strong sixth sense. Unlike other animals, a tamed camel remains revengeful and can harm even its own rider. Hence, the rider and the camel have to train together and become an integral part of each other’s lives. Unless the bond between the rider and the camel is strong, it is very difficult for either to perform the duties assigned to them

Veterinarians & their role in nation building———

Veterinarians are at the vanguard in protecting the public health and welfare. It has been documented that 75% of diseases affecting humans originate directly or indirectly from animals. In the current era of globalization, the emergence or re-emergence of unexpected dreadful diseases is accelerating. According to OIE, it is estimated that five new emerging infectious human diseases appear each year, of which three are zoonotic. The Avian flu, Swine flu, recent Ebola epidemic as well as the too numerous human deaths caused each year by rabies, dreadfully remind us of the strong links existing between the health of people, animals and environment. Many of the infectious diseases (e.g. avian flu, swine flu, AIDS, CJD etc) spread in humans come from animals originally. Veterinarians partake in the effort to prevent spread of disease (non zoonotic and zoonotic) in animals through stringent inspection and quarantine facilities. Veterinary professionals work to promote food security and ensure that food from animals is safe from farm to fork. Through strict inspections and controls, prior and after slaughtering, meat safety is constantly checked. At all phases of the production and distribution of food from animal origin they are involved in preserving its hygiene and safety.

Animal husbandry is an integral component of Indian agriculture supporting livelihood of more than two-thirds of the rural population. The veterinarian is committed professionally and morally with the rural community. Veterinary professionals disseminate their knowledge to the community as a whole to improve the quality of life. In our country, veterinary service literally means the difference between life and death not only for animals but also for humans as majority of our poor population depends on animals for food, income, social status or cultural identification, companionship, security, where there is nothing more important than taking care of the animals that allow adults to work, families to earn and children to eat. Veterinarians intervene in different ways in getting their household improved through technology injection and innovation in their livestock rearing by providing them technical, financial and moral support.

Veterinarians are involved in cutting edge research in biotechnology, drugs and pharmaceuticals. Veterinary scientist endeavors in developing improved breeds of livestock and poultry to enhance to production and productivity. They also ensure conservation of our rich genetic livestock resource of our country. Development of effective animal vaccines, medicines, tests and methods has enabled us to detect, limit and prevent spread of many economically important livestock diseases like FMD, HS, CSF, IBR, BVD, RD, Fowl Pox, Anthrax, Rabies and many other diseases. Companion animals also play important roles in service work, not only in assisting people with special needs but also in herding, search and rescue, drug and chemical detection, police and military assistance, and hunting and retrieving. Research into their diseases, behavior and training needs of this special group of companion animals has increased their quality of life and enhance their performance as assistants, protectors, and life-savers. Veterinary researchers are addressing important research issues related to disease epidemiology, biological terrorism and emerging disease. Research of wildlife diseases contributes not only to wildlife health and conservation but also to the study of emerging infectious diseases, many of which are zoonotic. Veterinary researchers have an important role to play in the advancement of ecosystem health and can contribute in numerous and diverse ways.

The veterinarians partner with zoologists and conservationists, and are often at the fore of emergency relief to treat animals affected by flood, cyclone, earthquake, tsunami, forest fires and other natural disasters, which not only affect wildlife, but also farm and companion animals. Disaster victims will also often protect their animals even to their own detriment. To them, losing animals from a natural or man-made disaster is an added adversity. Veterinarians and animal protection experts are included in disaster assessment teams and their advice used in community disaster planning. There are engaged in shelter, rescue and veterinary care during natural disaster.

A Veterinarian is well trained to be a potential entrepreneur. His in-depth skill and knowledge in animal breeding, nutrition, livestock product technologies (dairy, meat and animal byproducts, processing and marketing) can bring about revolution in the national economy.

The animal kingdom has a lot to offer the human race, in terms of food, clothing, medicine, research opportunities, foreign exchange and new improved genetic strain and breeds. One Health approach by working with physicians and ecologists, the veterinarians can improve health and well-being through the prevention of risks and the mitigation of effects of crisis that originate at the interaction between humans, animals and their various environments.. The role of veterinarian in nation building is thus commendable but challenges are enormous. An adage says ‘Only a person who loves a challenge would take on patients who can’t tell them where it hurts’

So , veterinarians of India has lot of opportunity to serve our country during warfare and emergency by performing their roles in their field . Like common people of India vets of our country also donate blood , wealth and do social services whenever there is need for national interest. This is a high time for vets of India to be united globally and come forward to help our country.

JAI HIND, BHARAT MATA KI JAI. LONG LIVE INDIA