Mangaluru : Coast Guard Day is celebrated in India on 01 Feb every year. This observance commemorates the anniversary of the founding of the Indian Coast Guard as the Armed Force of Union of India in the year of 1977.“It is a day to remember the past but also to honour the accomplishments of the service” said DIG SS Dasila, TM Commander, Coast Guard Karnataka. Celebrating the day together is also a time to recognize families’ roles in Coast Guard life.“Our Coast Guard families don’t take an oath to ‘support and defend the Constitution,’ yet the role they play is no less important,” added Dasila.

Headquarters, No. 3 Coast Guard District (Karnataka) celebrated 43rd Raising Day on Friday, 01 Feb 2019 to recognize roots and to look towards the future and envision how to grow to become a better service at a ceremonial function held on 01 Feb 2019 to mark the event. The occasion was graced by dignitaries drawn from the city of Mangalore from various walks of life.

The ceremonial cake was cut to celebrate the event so as to keep the legacy of the Coast Guard that propels us forward in the right direction by the Commander alongwith junior most officer present, Asst Commandant Neha Barange portraying of passing the faith to the next generation. During the event, traditional cultural program consisting of six classical dances depicting various Indian historical moments was showcased by Vidyashree Radha Krishna and Team of Gana Nritya Academy, Mangalore.

The “Service before Self” attitude of Coast Guard Karnataka has resulted in saving 202 lives in the year 2017 and 209 lives in 2018 and 19 lives so far in this current year of 2019.

During his address to the gathering DIG Dasila stated, “The professionalism, infallible attitude and the patriotism shown by all of us has resulted in overcoming daunting and challenging task at sea that resulted in saving precious lives.We must maintain sharp vigilance to thwart threats. The Indian Coast Guard has been expanding in both capacity and capability. State-of-the-art ships and aircraft manned by competent and professional officers and men take pride in serving the nation and protecting India’s maritime domain. Dasila also requested the honorable guest present on the occasion toencourage children to look forward to adorn uniform of Indian Armed Forces as their profession to live a king size life of passion and courage with head high as Uniform teaches to think beyond oneself.

He added as we move into another year of Coast Guard existence, I solicit continued support from people of Mangalore so that “We may be Strong, so that you can be Stronger”. Coast Guard Karnataka takes pride in ensuring safer seas along Karnataka coast and re-dedicatesitself in the service to the people of Karnataka.