Indian Coast Guard director general Rakesh Pal passes away

The Chief of the Indian Coast Guard, Director General Rakesh Pal, aged 59, passed away in Chennai on August 18th, Sunday. He was in the city to preside over the inauguration of three facilities for the force. In the evening, Director General Pal was to take part in the inaugural event organised at the Coast Guard's Region East Headquarters in the city, but he had to be rushed to a nearby hospital hours prior to the commencement of the event, as he complained of discomfort.

"Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Shri Rakesh Pal, DG, Indian Coast Guard, in Chennai today. He was an able and committed officer under whose leadership ICG was making big strides in strengthening India’s maritime security. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family," Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

Amid the sudden health setback suffered by the ICG Chief, Defence Minister Singh had cut short his participation in the ICG event and only performed the inauguration. The minister's address to the ICG personnel and the other ceremonial proceedings were cancelled. Singh's participation at the ICG events was cut short.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top defence officials in Chennai paid their last respects to the mortal remains of the Coast Guard Chief.

Director General Rakesh Pal was the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. He is an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy and joined the Indian Coast Guard in Jan 1989. He hadundergone professional specialisation in Gunnery & Weapons System at Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi, and Electro-Optics Fire Control Solution course from the United Kingdom. The officer also heldthe recognition of being the First Gunner of ICG.

In his distinguished career spanning over 34 years, the flag officer held several key appointments afloat and ashore. He hada vast sea experience and hadcommanded all classes of ICG ships, namely ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit, ICGS Sucheta Kriplani, ICGS Ahalyabai and ICGS C-03. The Officer hadalso commanded two Coast Guard Base of forward area in Gujarat - Okha & Vadinar.

During the period under his apex supervision, many major operations and exercises were successfully accomplished. This includes seizure of drugs/narcotic substances and gold worth crores of rupees, rescue of mariners during very severe cyclonic storms, joint exercises with Foreign Coast Guard, anti-poaching operations, and humanitarian assistance during naturalcalamities.