As part of Indian Armed Forces’ ‘India Thanks COVID-19 Warriors’ initiative, a total of 46 ships and around 10 helicopters of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will take part in this initiative on Sunday to appreciate the efforts of the COVID-19 Warriors by illuminating the ships and shower petals by the helicopters, covering the entire coastline of the country.
The ships wills be illuminated at 25 locations covering the entire coastline of the country including the remote sites and far flung island territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands, an Indian Coast Guard spokesperson said.
The 25 locations where ships to be illuminated include the coastal areas of Porbandar, Okha, Ratnagiri, Dahanu, Murud, Goa, New Mangalore, Kavratti, Tuticorin, Kanyakumari, Chennai, Krishnapatnam, Nizamapatnam, Puducherry, Kakinada, Paradip, Gopalpur/Puri, Sagar Island, Port Blair, Diglipur, Mayabuundur, Hutbay, Campbell Bay among others.
While the petal to be showered at hospitals in Daman, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Port Blair on Sunday.
It is pertinent to mention here that while ships and aircraft will be taking part in this initiative, the ICG ships and aircraft will continue to maintain strict vigil at sea and remains committed to ensure safe and secure seas around the Indian subcontinent, an ICG official said.
It is also maintaining 24×7 electronic surveillance of our coasts through Coastal Surveillance Radar Network.
The ICG units are assisting the local administration in distribution of rations, food to the poor and migrant labourers in their respective areas.
The ICG personnel have also proactively undertaken additional community interaction programmes about the precautions to be adopted to educate mariners, especially fishermen community, ports and other agencies.
Besides, Indian Army will participate in band display at hospitals where COVID-19 patients being treated across the country. While Indian Air Force’s aircraft will shower petals on hospitals while Indian Navy’s ships and aviation assets will also take part in this event.