COAST  GUARD  DAY 2019

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            Grand people conduct grand events in a great style unmatched.

Event - 43^rd Coast Guard Day reception.

Venue - Regional Headquarters at CG Worli.

        It was a majestic delight for Meena and I to be invited to this august assemblage (courtesy Cdr V Vadhera and Adm Rusi Contractor). I had flown over 600 hrs on the CG beauty - Fokker F-27 in the mid-80s, during deputation to the Premier Maritime Air Squadron CGAS-700 as its commissioning crew, and hence encountering some old buddies was on the cards during the evening. As we drove down the Sea-Link cantilever,  the premises of RHQ(W) as it emerged from the bridge with its blueish glow exhibited exquisite charm. Even the well-lit parking lot was colour carpeted when our Tata Manza creeped-in directed by the marshalling staff. 

      COMCG(W), Inspector General VD Chafekar and his Staff-Officer were present at the archway to receive n greet the guests for the celebrations. As we stepped in, Cmdt Vivek Dogra, Regional Ops Offr was as delighted as a kid to welcome us. Vivek is the younger Son of late Cdr Shashipal, who had been my ExO in Naval Unit NCC, Mumbai. He mentioned to us of his long working hours but he found it challenging, sans any remorse. Sure his Dad must be blessing him from the yonder-world. Next, we met Surg Capt Ajit Gopinath and his good lady Bhargavi, prior to the arrival of the Chief Guest. The Doc was our PMO in Valsura in 2000-01.  As H.E. Shri C Vidyasagar Rao, the Governor of Maharashtra stepped on the central Pedestal, the National Anthem was played. Screening of a CG movie followed, soon after the Governer was comfortably seated. The clip flaunted the White Water Navy, that has galloped to formidable force levels in the last 10 years with over 15,000 personnel manning 42 shore stns, 15 Air stns/enclaves, 137 ships and 44 aircraft dedicated to the nation 24x7x365, guarding and securing our coastal assets.  After the movie, an adorable sand artist Sarvam Patel of ‘India’s Got Talent’ fame, showcased his mastery of the Art. He crafted and animated subjects fluidly and dedicated the final piece to the Coast Guard. He then deftly applied some glue on a blackboard and requested the governor to spay the coloured sand on the Board. What emerged was a breathtaking masterpiece of the Governor’s smiling face as displayed in the photos below. This was immediately followed by a presentation of CG Memento by ADG K Natarajan IG, CCG(WS) to the Governor and the release of Coffee Table Book by H.E.

       We then moved around and interacted with young CG officers, greeted Cmde Vimal Kumar, who had been a Veteran Diver and retd as DoD in NHQ and Cmde SPS Bhatti an Engineering specialist who is presently heading Dynatron as its CEO. It was a pleasure to meet AVM R Hora, AOC MAO and RAdm PK Bahl, FOMA with whom I had recently interacted during the Veterans Day. Capt Rahul Sharma and his good lady Cmdt Lalima Sharma walked up to us. Rahul was a Lt in Valsura when he with Abhilash Tomy got stuck in the marsh in an enterprise in the receding tide and an IAF Helo had to be requisitioned for their rescue, even as darkness engulfed the sailing club, sans any commn with Boat. He recounted the tale reflecting back in time, when I had been directed to take over as OIC Sailing club after that incident. All the CG Pilots were excited to meet me as I recounted my days of CGAS-700. Dep Cmdt Balwinder narrated his harrowing experience of encountering terrible weather on return to Shikra and how he managed to break clouds to put his Helo back on the tarmac with little fuel. It’s a fact that time compression does take place when one deeply discusses topics of one’s passion.

        The Feast was sumptuous with a great variety of main course and luscious desserts. We lauded the Coast Guard’s expansion and thanked COMCG(W) and his staff for inviting us to this exceptional evening of gala celebrations and prayed for even more Glory to the formidable Force in the coming years.

We Hail the Indian Coast Guard in its 43^rd Grand Anniv…Jai Hind.