By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Feb 10:
As part of “Students Experience in Inter State Living (SEIL), as one nation, one people, one culture”, 30 students and 09 faculty members from North Eastern states, visited the Indian Coast Guard Ship “Sankalp”, an advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel on February 09, Thursday in Mumbai.
The students hailed from the North Eastern states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. Although the region is covered by the Brahmaputra-Barak river systems, a major portion comprise the hilly terrain area interspersed with valleys and plains. The students were invited to expose them to the important role of the Coast Guard in safeguarding the coastline.
During the visit, students were given an overview of Indian Coast Guard and its primary role in ensuring the security of the maritime zones of India and safeguarding national interests in such zones. They were also briefed on the operational capabilities of Indian Coast Guard Surface and Air assets.
A presentation was given and it was followed by video on Coast Guard elaborating various charter of duties viz. Search and Rescue, Pollution Control and Safeguarding our long coastline and our Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
The students were taken on a guided tour of ICG ”Sankalp” and were informed about various weapons and sensors fitted onboard the ship. This was followed by interactive sessions with the young minds in which role of Indian Coast Guard in terms of benign power, constabulary and military was explained. They were also briefed about various career opportunities with the ICG and were explained about how to join the Indian Coast Guard.
The interaction with Coast Guard personnel onboard the ship provided an excellent exposure to the students on the importance of safeguarding the maritime zones of the nation, the functioning of Indian Coast Guard and life onboard the ship.
