Mumbai witnessed a landmark moment in maritime defense as Flag Officer MV Pathak, decorated with PTM and TM, stepped into the role of Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard) via a stately ceremonial parade on Monday. The event highlighted the seamless continuity and elevated readiness of India’s coastal guardians.
Since enlisting in 1989, Pathak has helmed various Coast Guard ships and occupied premier positions: Chief of Staff, regional commands across Andaman & Nicobar, North East, Kerala & Mahe, Principal Director (Administration), and latterly Deputy DG (Operations & Coastal Security) before his recent CGSB role in Delhi.
In his inaugural remarks, Pathak described the command as a profound honor, placing coastal fortification and maritime preservation at the forefront. He pledged synergy with governmental arms to tackle security imperatives. True to ‘Vayam Rakshamah,’ the force is geared for smuggling prevention, oil spill mitigation, rescue operations, territorial integrity, and multifaceted threats.
This appointment fortifies the Western Seaboard’s operational hub in Mumbai, a linchpin for surveilling critical sea routes. It embodies the Coast Guard’s proactive evolution in safeguarding national interests against dynamic oceanic challenges.