Kolkata Coast Guard Headquarters Receives Three Tatrakshak Medals
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Synopsis
The Indian Coast Guard's Kolkata headquarters has been awarded three Tatrakshak Medals by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, recognizing their outstanding service and bravery in maritime operations along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha.
Key Takeaways
- Kolkata Coast Guard HQ awarded three Tatrakshak Medals.
- Recognized for meritorious service and gallantry.
- Operational 24/7 along the Indian coast.
- Involved in protecting endangered Olive Ridley Turtles.
- Monitoring of vessel movements to prevent illegal activities.
Kolkata, Feb 27 (NationPress) The headquarters of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Region North East, located in Kolkata, has been honored with three out of the eight Tatrakshak Medals (TM) presented by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday.
This regional headquarters oversees operations along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha.
Those from the Region North East who received the prestigious awards include DIG Anil Kumar Parayil, DIG Himanshu Nautiyal, and Uttam Navik Mohit Kumar. DIG Parayil manages the ICG air enclave in Kolkata, while DIG Nautiyal serves as the chief of staff for the Headquarters North East Region. Both received their medals for exemplary service, while Uttam Navik Mohit Kumar was honored with the Tatrakshak Medal for gallantry for his heroic efforts in saving lives at sea,” stated a senior official from the regional headquarters.
The ICG operates round the clock along the Indian coast. The Kolkata-based regional headquarters supervises district headquarters at Haldia and Paradip, which host various ships and hovercraft.
“Additionally, it manages two air enclaves located in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, operating fixed-wing Dornier aircraft, as well as Chetak and indigenous Dhruv helicopters,” the official explained.
“This is a sensitive area with two major ports at Paradip and Haldia. In addition, there are several large private ports and smaller riverine ports. Numerous industries, including refineries, are situated along the coast. We also monitor the Sundarbans region, supported by a hovercraft based in Fraserganj, West Bengal,” the official elaborated.
He noted that the primary challenge is to thwart any terrorist attempts to approach the coastline, emphasizing that all vessels, whether large, medium, or small, are closely monitored.
“While large and medium vessels are equipped with Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and can be tracked through radar stations from the Kolkata-based headquarters, thousands of fishing boats operate in the Bay of Bengal and their movements require physical monitoring,” he stated.
Additionally, they are vigilant against smuggling, piracy, poaching, and pollution.
“We play a crucial role during cyclonic storms, which are frequent in this region. Our ships and aircraft are constantly patrolling, dedicated to crime prevention and life-saving missions. We are often called to evacuate ill or injured mariners from merchant ships at sea. The ICG saves a life approximately every two days. Furthermore, we act as the primary agency for marine species protection. Presently, we are significantly involved in Ops Olivia along the Odisha coast, aimed at safeguarding the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles that arrive on the beaches of Odisha to lay their eggs during this season,” the official concluded.
