CISF cyclothon concludes in Kochi

Kochi: CISF Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon-2026 culminated in Kochi on Sunday, marking the conclusion of a 6,553-km journey.Over the past 25 days, 130 CISF cyclists — including a historic 50% women contingent — pedalled through India's eastern and western coastlines reaching Kochi on Sunday evening. Valedictory ceremony was attended by minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar and CISF director general Praveer Ranjan, along with senior CISF officers. Celebrities including actors and sports personalities attended the concluding ceremony. The event brought together coastal communities, youth, women, fishermen, sister security agencies, industry stakeholders and civil society under one powerful theme — Surakshit Tat, Samridh Bharat (Secure Coasts, Prosperous India), CISF said in a statement. Traversing nine states and two Union territories, the cyclothon connected historic ports, bustling industrial hubs, fishing villages and beaches. The cyclothon amplified awareness about threats such as narcotics trafficking, arms smuggling and infiltration, while reinforcing the need for community vigilance as the first line of defence.