Indian Homeland Security News and Updates

Skin protection for India’s paramilitary forces

(Source - Hindustan Times)

Fine lines, wrinkles and tans.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is finally paying attention to the skin of its paramilitary forces.

The Indian-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has become the first force to be sanctioned sunscreen lotion for personnel posted 6,000 feet or more above sea level.

Ultraviolet rays at this high altitude cause a lot of damage, with signs of premature aging and severe peeling showing on the skins of many personnel.

“The cold climate results in ruthless dryness and the epidermis layer of most personnel was being damaged,” said ITBP spokesman Deepak Pandey. “As they are constantly exposed to harmful solar radiation, we were worried about skin cancer.”

The sunscreen will also be provided to other paramilitary forces such as the Border Security Force and the Sashastra Seema Bal later.

While most of them were forced to buy their own sunscreen earlier, according to the sanction, lotions will be given to all ranks — jawans as well as officers.

What’s left to decide is what level of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) they will be provided with.

A committee, which will include a medical team, will discuss what and how much is to be distributed.

The force has 55,000 personnel, with about 80 per cent deployed above 6,000 feet at any time.