The 27th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard will be celebrated today (Monday) at the Coast Guard Headquarters in the capital’s Agargaon with due dignity.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually attend the programme as the chief guest and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal will be present as the special guest.
Public Security Division’s Senior Secretary Md Akhter Hossain and other guests will be present on the occasion.
The special guest, on behalf of the chief guest, will distribute Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal and Bangladesh Coast Guard (Service) Medal among Bangladesh Coast Guard officers, sailors and employees for their heroism and bravery.
President Coast Guard Medal and the President Coast Guard (Service) Medal will be awarded by the Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard.
A total of 40 Coast Guard personnel will receive medals in various disciplines at the event.
In observance of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending greetings to all members of the coast guard, reports BSS.
The President and the Prime Minister hoped that the members of the Coast Guard would work with sincerity and honesty to ensure foolproof security of the country's maritime and coastal regions.
Both the president and the prime minister also lauded the role of the members of the coast guard in maintaining security of the country's waterways and resisting smuggling and human trafficking.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said, “Since its inception, Bangladesh Coast Guard has been playing an active role in protecting the law and order in maritime boundaries and coastal areas. The force is also working relentlessly in preventing infiltration, human trafficking, smuggling and piracy in the coastal areas of the country.”
It has been possible to bring down the rate of piracy in Chattogram Port to almost zero due to continuous operation of coast guard in the outer anchorage of the port, he said, adding that the coast guard has also been playing important role in protecting the national resource hilsa fish and curbing drug smuggling.
The President said the incumbent government has taken massive steps to turn the Coast Guard into a two-dimensional force by 2030.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the coast guard has been playing important role in expediting the activities related to the Blue Economy along with protecting the security in the country's vast coastal region.
She said the coast guard started working when Awami League came to power in 1996 when the government built necessary infrastructures and other supports to the force.
The government gave the fore two inshore vessels, one floating crane, two tug boats and 16 boats under different development programmes, she said, adding that a dockyard is being built in Gajaria to enhance its strength.
The Prime Minister hoped that the coast guard would perform their duties with patriotism, sincerity and courage and contribute to implement 'Vision 2041'.
Established in 1995, the Bangladesh Coast Guard is currently making significant contributions to the security of the coastal areas of the country.
The Bangladesh Coast Guard has become a trusted symbol of security and confidence among the people by ensuring law and order in the maritime and coastal areas, protecting the lives and property of the people, curbing smuggling, drug and human trafficking as well as providing relief and assistance in various natural disasters.
In addition, due to the relentless efforts of the Coast Guard, Chattogram Port has been turned into a safe port.
It may be mentioned that in 2021, the Bangladesh Coast Guard seized smuggled goods worth Tk 111.64 crore, fish and illegal nets worth Tk 2,297.27 crore, illegal drugs worth Tk 137.19 crore and various types of timber worth Tk 16.10 crore.
The Coast Guard also stood by the helpless, destitute, unemployed and working people with food during the government announced lockdown and ensured public safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus virus.
Under the direct guidance of the Prime Minister and under the supervision of the Home Minister, the capacity of this force has been significantly enhanced by the addition of various modern ships, bases and vessels.
Every member of the Bangladesh Coast Guard is determined to take the development progress of the country forward by building the force as more effective, strong and efficient through the skillful implementation of far-reaching plans.