The ride for coastal security reaches Goa

On Wednesday morning, 12 Indian coast gaurd personnel, six marine police, four representatives of the fisheries and two Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) employees rode into Goa on 13 colourful motorbikes.
The main purpose behind this grand bike expedition, which was flagged off in Mumbai on June 2, was to educate Indian citizens along the coastal belt about national security, and so, in the evening they halted for a chat with the fisher folk in Baina before leaving for Mumbai on Thursday morning.
‘FISHER FOLK ARE STAKEHOLDERS IN COASTAL SECURITY’
Throughout their journey, they covered fishing villages like Murud, Shrivardhan, Dabhol, Jaigarh, Mirkarwada, Devgarh and Vengurla to talk to the local fishermen and women. This gave them a chance to help the fishing community understand them better, and vice versa.
“Usually, when we board their vessel and interrogate them for their documents, etc, they don’t have it, and so they get scared thinking that we may take action against them. However, this way, they were comfortable talking to us,” said Asst Comdt Ajay Dahiya, adding, “We explained to them about how during the 26/11 attack, the terrorists had entered Mumbai with the help of the fisher folk. People came in ships, and bribed the fishermen to take them to a particular place, saying their ship won’t be able to go there. We explained to them that it was important to inform the coast guard and the marine police in case they were dropping someone. They are beginning to understand that the checking is for their own good, and that we are with them, not against them.”
“When we personally visited the community members' homes, we were able to have healthy discussions about such matters. They shared their problems with us as well. We educated and helped them in whatever way we could. We have urged some of them to join the coast guard, so that there’s a connect between the fisheries and coast guards because they are all stakeholders in coastal security. If we have a local fisherman joining the coast guard, we will understand them better and they will understand us better,” he said.
'EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD ROAD TRIP'
Though it was a work trip, they made sure they also had some fun in between rigorous biking sessions, by enjoying some local food and stopping by at scenic locales.
“Everyone loves road trips, and the Mumbai to Goa ride is on everyone’s wish list. We had the best bikes, and had a really scenic route to ride on. Also, it drizzled in the middle, so the weather was very pleasant, making it the perfect experience. My team is very motivated and in high spirits,” said Ajay. They stopped by at a riders café in Arpora on their way back as well.
Some of the challenges they faced during this nine-day expedition, he said, were, “The rain made traversing the steep terrains a problem. In addition to that, the coastal roads aren’t so great either. However, our entire group is faujis, so we managed well. We had problems communicating with the locals at times, but we tried reaching out to them through the local fisheries' members. It was a joyful ride, as a whole. When we stopped by villages, we ate with the locals during the community outreach programmes, and mingled with them.”
Deputy Inspector General Himanshu Nautiyal, Commander Coast Guard Goa flagged off the return journey from MPT jetty in Marmugao. On their way back to Mumbai, they will stop by at a few more coastal villages along the way.