Coast guards organise bike rally to mark their 38th anniversary

MANGALURU: The Indian coast guards are organizing a motor bike rally from February 23 to 26 from this coastal city to Karwar to mark the 38th anniversary of the organization. The rally that is being organised in coordination with Coastal Security Police will cover a total distance of 513- km to and fro. Overall coordinator of the rally is Commandant R Vijay, commanding officer ICGS Kasturba Gandhi. BPCL, Mangaluru has sponsored the rally Deputy inspector general Rajmani Sharma, commander, coast guard, Karnataka will flag off the rally that aims to enhance confidence building measures among fishing community and to synergise working of various state and central government agencies such as Coastal Security Police, Indian Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries and state authorities for the safety and security of the 320-km-odd long coastline of Karnataka. In all, 20 persons are participating in the rally. Of them, 12 are from Indian coast guard, six from Coastal Security Police and two from BPCL. The officer-in charge of the rally is assistant commandant Rajit Ratti from ICGS Kasturba Gandhi. The bike rally will pass through various coastal towns of Karnataka and will be received by CSP and BPCL authorities. During rally, the bikers will also carry out interaction with fishing community. The places where the interactions will be held include Malpe, Sasthan, Kundapur, and Gangolli in Udupi district; Bhatkal, Kumta, Gangavelli, Belekeri, Tadri, Shirali, and Tallur, in Uttarak Kannnada district; and Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district. Officials from Indian Coast Guard, CSP and BPCL will take part in the interaction, Anupam Rai, commandant, district operations and plans officer, Coast Guard, Karnataka, stated. -TOI