Coast Guard Celebrates 35th Anniversary

Port Blair, Feb 01: The Indian Coast Guard celebrated its 35th Anniversary today. In three and half decades of existence the service has grown into professional force capable of addressing a wide spectrum of maritime challenges encountered within the maritime zones of India. The Indian Coast Guard came into being on 01 Feb 77 and was constituted as an armed force of the Union of India. As the youngest armed force of the Union, the service has broad charter of duties which includes safety and protection of offshore installations, providing protection to fishermen, prevention & protection of marine environment, enforcement of maritime law, safety of life and property at sea and collection of scientific data.

Post 26/11, the Indian Coast Guard has been additionally designated as the authority responsible for coastal security within territorial waters, and for overall coordination between Central and State agencies in all matters relating to coastal security beside maritime law enforcement at sea. Large number of sanctions for ships, aircraft, establishment and additional infrastructure has been approved by the Government. With the present perspective plans and sanctions by the Govt. of India, the force-levels and the manpower of the Indian Coast Guard are set to almost double in the next few years, and triple in the next decade to augment the protection of maritime zone of India.

The service will have more than 200 ships and 100 aircraft in the inventory by then. For enhancing the surveillance capabilities and effective maritime domain awareness, a Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) along the coastline is also being established. The Indian Coast Guard is well on its way to become the strongest Coast Guard maritime force in the Indian Ocean Region, as well as the fourth largest Coast
Guard in the world.

As a part of Coast Guard day celebrations, series of activities were conducted at Port Blair, Hut Bay, Campbell Bay and Diglipur. The local populace, fishing community and student from various schools participated in these events. The activities included conduct of a Motor Cycle Rally from Diglipur to Port Blair, Mass community interaction with fishing community during the motor cycle rally, Blood donation camp at Port Blair and Inter school Painting competition at Port Blair, Diglipur, Hut Bay & Campbell Bay. The ships were kept open for visitors at Diglipur and Campbell Bay. A troops get together for all service personnel, civilians and their families was also organised on 13 Jan 12.

To commemorate the Coast Guard Day, a high tea was organised in the Coast Guard Regional Headquarter premises on 01 Feb12. Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM the Chief Guest for the occasion was accompanied by Mrs. Bhawanee Singh, the First Lady of the Island. Commander in Chief ANC, Lt Gen NC Marwah, PVSM, AVSM, along with Mrs. Pooja Marwah also graced the occasion . The function was also attended by large number of senior defence, civil administration officers and prominent dignitaries of Port Blair. A cake cutting ceremony marked the occasion and the best Coast Guard ship Aruna Asaf Ali was conferred with ‘Taut Ship Trophy’ by the Lt Governor. A pictorial depiction of progress made by Coast Guard in form of coffee table book was presented to the Lt. Governor by the Commander Coast Guard Region (A & N) and a small cultural function was also performed during the occasion.