In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given a go-ahead for a project to document the history of India’s frontiers. The project will make people aware of the borders and people living in border regions, a defence ministry official said.

Rajnath Singh gave the nod on Tuesday after he held a meeting with officials of the Indian Council of Historical Research, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Directorate General of Archives, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence.

It is proposed that the work will cover various aspects of borders including tracing its making; making and unmaking and shifting of borders; role of security forces; the role of borderland people encompassing their ethnicity, culture and socio-economic aspects of their lives, the defence ministry said.

The project is expected to be completed within two years.

Rajnath Singh also emphasised the importance of writing the history of Indian borders reiterating that it will provide a better understanding of the borders.

The Defence Minister also welcomed various suggestions and directed officials to consult experts on source material, broad contours, methodology and action plan required for completing this project expeditiously.