India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conferred 32 gallantry and distinguished service medals to meritorious service personnels of the Indian Coast Guard at an investiture ceremony in the presence of MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Director General Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani.
Shailesh Kumar, National Defence
New Delhi, 25 February 2025
Out of a total of 32 medals presented include six President’s Tatrakshak Medals for Distinguished Service, 11 Tatrakshak Medals for Gallantry and 15 Tatrakshak Medals for Meritorious Service for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. “Be it natural disasters like Tsunamis or Covid-19 or seizing contrabands, the Indian Coast Guard is doing remarkable work”, Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India said while speaking at the event.
Raksha Mantri described the medals as not just a memento, but a symbol of bravery, perseverance and unwavering resolve towards maintaining the honour of the tricolour. He commended the personnel for their efforts in ensuring coastal security, organisational efficiency, seizure of drugs, rescue operations and international exercises.
Rajnath Singh highlighted the growth of ICG into a formidable, trustworthy and one of the most efficient marine forces in the world. “Geographically, India is surrounded by sea on three sides and its coastline is vast. The nation’s strategic security faces two types of threats. The first is war which is dealt by the Armed Forces, and the second are the challenges of piracy, terrorism, infiltration, smuggling & illegal fishing for which the marine forces, especially ICG, are always alert. ICG, working proactively to tackle these challenges, is a key player in ensuring strategic security,” he said.
In the last one year, ICG has achieved significant achievements in maritime safety, security and humanitarian operations. It apprehended 14 boats and 115 pirates, apart from carrying out a major drug seizure of about Rs 37,000 crore. In addition, ICG saved 169 lives through various rescue operations and provided medical assistance to 29 seriously injured people.
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