Port Blair, June 09: Inspector General Maneesh Vishal Pathak, Tatrakshak Medal is relinquishing Command of Coast Guard Region (A&N) and will be passing the baton to Inspector General Dinesh Rajaputhran, Tatrakshak Medal on 11 Jun 2021. The Flag Officer has been in Command of the Region for more than 03 years. Under his dynamic leadership, the Coast Guard organisation in A&N Islands has performed immensely towards safety and security of Islanders, fishermen and Mariners. During his tenure, Coast Guard ships and aircraft rescued 425 precious lives in different maritime SAR operations, evacuated 23 critical medical patients from remote Islands/Sea.
IG Maneesh Vishal Pathak has maintained steady focus on Safety and Security of the Islands and worked in close coordination with A&N Administration and Andaman & Nicobar Command for creating robust Coastal Security mechanism. With due impetus to strengthen the CG fleet in A & N to address growing maritime challenges in the region, the concerted efforts by Flag Officer led to accretion of four (04) CG ships in Coast Guard A&N Fleet.
The Flag Officer emphasized on conducting regular Community Interaction Programs to integrate fishermen community as ‘Eyes and Ears’ in maritime security mechanism. These programs were conducted by Coast Guard units throughout A&N Islands and these events were also used to educate fishermen on safety of life at sea and instill sense of security among them. To encourage participation by fishing community, free medical camps were also conducted at remote areas/ Islands.
In his farewell address, the Flag officer appreciated the overall development of the Indian Coast Guard in the Region and advised CG personnel to stay focused towards the concerns and safety of the Islanders. The Flag Officer highlighted the growing concerns of maritime security and complimented CG personnel for maintaining the operational tempo despite challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.
On transfer from Port Blair, Inspector General Maneesh Vishal Pathak, will assume charge as the Commander Coast Guard Region (North East) at Kolkata, West Bengal.