The Indian Coast Guard Day is celebrated on February 1 every year to honour organisations that look after maritime security. This year, India will be celebrating the 47th Coast Guard Day.
The interim Indian Coast Guard was originally established on February 1, 1977, to prevent the sea-borne smuggling of goods that hampered India’s domestic economy.
On August 18, 1978, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Day was officially established by the Parliament to be celebrated on February 1.
Since its inception, the Indian Coast Guard has saved thousands of lives and apprehended miscreants. Since its establishment, the ICG has also confiscated drugs, contraband and illicit goods worth thousands of crores.
Currently, the Indian Coast Guard is ranked as the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world.
The work of the Indian Coast Guard varies for multiple fields in collaboration with the Indian Navy, the Customs Department and the Police. The guard is allotted to different regions including the North-West region situated in Gandhinagar, Gujrat, the East region in Chennai, and the North East region in Kolkata and Andaman and Nicobar regions.
