INDIAN COAST GUARD DAY 2023
============================
Grand
people conduct grand events in a great style unmatched.
Event - 47rd Indian Coast
Guard Day reception - 01 FEB 2023.
Venue -
Regional Headquarters CG at Worli.
It was a majestic
delight for Meena and I to be invited to this august assemblage, courtesy ADG(WS)
Suresh, on 01 Feb 2023. 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 at about 1845
hrs.
We entered the Archway of premises that bore a festive décor with alternating tricolor glow on the huge RHQ’s white walls decked up with series lighting. ADG Suresh was just being received by IG Manoj Baadkar, COMCG(W). We were warmly welcomed by ADG and his good lady and introduced to COMCG and senior CG Officers. We were escorted to our elegant white seats with a program pamphlet and a small water bottle on each chair. The MCs on stage with a projection screen, that was playing CG screen shots, warmly welcomed the guests awaiting the arrival of the Chief Guest H.E. Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, the Governor of Maharashtra. Soon VAdm AB Singh, FOCinC(West) arrived followed by the Chief Guest. The National Anthem was played as he stepped on the central pedestal. Screening of a CG movie followed, soon after the Governor 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 44 shore stns, 15 Air stns/enclaves, 150 ships and 70 aircraft dedicated to the nation 24x7x365, guarding and securing our coastal assets.
After the movie, the
MCs invited the Governor, ADG, COMCG and the junior most Coast Guard Officer Asst Comdt Tanisha Naithani on stage for Cake cutting. After the Cake cutting it was heartening to see the Governor lovingly feed the ADG, COMCG and Tanisha with his own hand, followed by COMCG offering a spoonful to the Governor. This was followed by the ADG presenting the Governor with Silver CG Memento. The MCs then introduced the music Maestros of the evening, who enthralled the audience
with their breath-taking musical performance of Bandish Fusion for the next one hour (Photos and Video below).
Bandish Fusion
The
two Maestros who mesmerized us are renowned music exponents Pt. Subhen
Chatterjee, with a deep voice texture and Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. The former is
one of the Best known Tabla players of India today and has toured the world
accompanying legends as Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Pt jasraj, Vidushi Girija Devi and
many others. He was conferred with the coveted Sangeet Samman Award, nominated
for Grammy Award in 2002 and 2012. He finds a place in Guinness Book of World
Records for composing a single piece non-stop for 55 mins with 315 musicians on
stage in Johrat (Assam). Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is the greatest musicians of
our times whose contribution to both Indian Classical and World Music is indeed
immense. He belongs to the Jaipur Gharana and has introduced a new instrument
Mohan-Veena, that has opened new vistas and new scopes in the world of music.
He is a Grammy Awards winner for his composition Meeting by the River. He’s
been conferred with various awards including the recent Bharat Gaurav Award.
The
Maestros enthralled the Audience with compositions based on Sandhya Raag Vaman
dedicated to the Martyrs of our country starting with Guru Vandana, Meeting by
the River, Kesariya Balam, Ab jaane ki zid na Karo, topping it up with Maa,
Vande Matram and National Anthem. They received standing ovation for their
stupendous breath-taking performance that caused time compression and an hour
evaporated in no time.
The Governor left early due
to his prior commitments. After the Bandish Fusion it was time for Meet and
Greet in the rear enclosure. Drinks of choice were being served. It was a
pleasure to meet former ADG (WS) Vijay Chafekar, who had driven down from Pune
for the celebrations (Pics below). We moved around and interacted with young CG
officers and a few Veterans too. It was a pleasure to meet Comdt Abusali (Air
Engineer) who was in Hansa (CGAS 800) with us in early 90s. We got snapped with
Veteran Dy Comdt & Mrs Kuldip Singh.
We complimented the MCs of stage Dy Comdt S Deviga and her colleague Dy Comdt
Saurabh Saraswat. Dy Comdt Sharath Rajulu smilingly snapped us with other CG
Offrs and their good ladies. I was glad to meet my MSU Baroda collegemate, Mrs Seema
Dinesh (LtCol Dinesh from BEG is on deputation to CG RHQ), the ever jubilant
DIG Rajesh Makwana, DIG Atul Parlikar with a unique sense of humour, DIG KS
Saini with an infectious smile, Comdt Pradeep Salunkhe, The dynamic Duo of
Coast Guard Comdt Mridul Joshi and her butter half DIG Joshi (BUVIK), Comdt U
Mishra, Comdt Venkatesh, Comdt Amit Bhatnagar, Asst Comdt Apurva Hore, Asst
Comdt Tanisha Naithani and other young CG officers.
The Feast was sumptuous
with a great variety of main course and luscious desserts. We lauded the Coast
Guard’s expansion and thanked ADG and 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. Each guest was presented with a
generous goody bag during the Sayonara time.
We Hail the Indian Coast Guard in its 47rd Grand Coast Guard Raising Day…
Sam No Varunah
Jai Hind.
(All Photos and Videos clicked by Mrs Meena Dutta)
(PS - KINDLY DOUBLE CLICK THE VIDEOS TO PLAY AND FINGER ZOOM FOR CONVENIENT VIEWING)
VIDEOS
👇👇👇
CLICK LINK BELOW TO PLAY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2NUsBiXx0E&ab_channel=MeenaDutta
Beautiful pictures and apt narration
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to NFMC president, Secretary, and their team . Special thanks to Mrs Meena Dutta for the beautiful pictures
Regards
Grateful for the humbling comment Sir
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