Ahmedabad : As the sun descended below the horizon, Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Meera Behn was solemnly decommissioned at Okha Port in a traditional ceremony conducted with full Armed Forces honours. The vessel, under the command of Commandant (JG) Thinkal Tharakan, was decommissioned in a dignified sunset ceremony presided over by Deputy Inspector General Manjeet Singh Gill, Commander, Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 15, Okha. The occasion was graced by civil and military dignitaries, the Commanding Officer and crew of the vessel and representatives of local units stationed at Okha.
ICGS Meera Behn derives her name from Meerabehn, a devoted disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and a prominent figure in India’s freedom movement. Deeply inspired by Gandhiji’s ideals, she dedicated her life to the selfless service of the nation. In recognition of her unwavering devotion and sincere commitment, Mahatma Gandhi bestowed upon her the name “Meera,” in honour of the legendary saint-poet Meerabai.
The ceremony commenced with an impressive Guard of Honour parade. At sunset, the Coast Guard Ensign was hauled down from the vessel for the last time, marking the formal end of her illustrious service. This was followed by the lowering of the Decommissioning Pennant. Throughout her distinguished career spanning over two decades, ICGS Meera Behn had flown the National Flag and the Coast Guard Ensign with unwavering pride and honour. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited and commissioned on 25 Jul 2006, the vessel belonged to the water jet-propelled Extra Fast Patrol Vessel (XFPV) series, renowned for its exceptional speed and operational agility. Commandant (JG) Thinkal Tharakan, Commanding Officer of the ship, rendered the final decommissioning report to the Commander, Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 15, Okha, formally concluding the vessel’s active service.
Addressing the crew and distinguished guests assembled for the ceremony, DIG Manjeet Singh Gill paid tribute to the exceptional contributions of ICGS Meera Behn to Indian Coast Guard. He commended the ship and all those who had served onboard, for the yeoman service rendered faithfully over two decades in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests.
