128 CISF personnel pedal over 6,500 km to educate, empower coastal residents

Traversing the length and breadth of India’s coastline and covering a long 6,553 km, 128 CISF cyclists, including 14 women personnel, on Monday completed their 25-day journey at the country’s southernmost town Kanyakumari in a bid to empower, educate and acknowledge the people living along India’s coastline.

The ‘Great Indian Coastal Cyclothon’ was virtually flagged off by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 7 in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet district. Officials said the cyclothon facilitated strengthened communication and collaboration between the CISF, other security agencies and coastal communities.

“Today’s event in Kanyakumari not only marks the successful completion of the cyclothon but also signifies the beginning of a new era of enhanced vigilance and collaboration in safeguarding India’s coasts and ensuring a secure and prosperous future for the nation,” CISF DG Rajwinder Singh Bhatti said.

The CISF stated a central tenet of the endeavour was to “acknowledge and celebrate” the invaluable contributions of locals as ‘Tat Praharis’ (coastal sentinels).

“The initiative sought to empower these communities, recognising their vital role as the eyes and ears of security forces in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests,” a senior CISF official said.

In the past 25 days, CISF cyclists and personnel educated the coastal communities regarding the diverse security threats confronting India’s coastline, including the illicit activities of smuggling (encompassing drugs, weapons, and explosives), the necessity of vigilance against intrusion and the critical importance of environmental conservation in these ecologically sensitive zones.

Beyond its security focus, the cyclothon was aimed at connecting inland communities with India’s captivating coast. “It was a chance to highlight the lively coastal communities, their diverse flora and fauna and the unique cultural traditions that make up India’s coastal identity,” the official said.