New Delhi, May 23 (IANS): Paintings and sculptures made by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel will be put up on display and for sale at the Lalit Kala Academy here May 25-29, an official said Monday.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram is expected to inaugurate the event called BSF Kala Mela (art fair).

BSF Director General Raman Srivastava said: "This is the first of its kind of mela organised by any paramilitary."

"Through this, we want to encourage our people, who despite all the odds have pursued their passion and love for art," Srivastava said.

The display will feature 360 works including oil paintings, thread paintings, thread craft, enamel paintings, soapstone carvings, clay paintings and pencil arts.

The art works have been made by high ranking officials, head constables, constables, cooks and widows of BSF personnel.

Srivastava said that 60 percent of the proceeds from the sales would be given to the artists, while the rest would be deposited in a welfare fund.