Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal has died of a heart attack in Chennai. Rajesh Pal was the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. Rakesh Pal, a student of the Indian Naval Academy, joined the Indian Coast Guard in January 1989. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin paid their last respects to Rakesh Pal in Chennai.
Pal was scheduled to attend an Indian Coast Guard event along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, officials said. He was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital (RGGH) during the day after he complained of uneasiness. On his demise, Rajnath Singh tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal in Chennai today.” He said, “He was an able and committed officer under whose leadership the Indian Coast Guard was making great strides in strengthening India’s maritime security. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.”
Rajesh Pal had acquired professional expertise in gunnery and weapon systems at the Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi. He also did an Electro-Optics Fire Control Solution course from Britain. Late Director General Rakesh Pal also had the distinction of being the first gunner of the ICG. In a career spanning 35 years, Rakesh Pal held many important positions.
Pal had extensive experience in the maritime domain and commanded all classes of ICG ships, including ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit and ICGS Sucheta Kriplani. Under his leadership, the Coast Guard conducted several important operations and exercises, including seizure of drugs, narcotics and gold worth crores of rupees. For his exceptional service, Rakesh Pal was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), President’s Tatrakshak Medal and Tatrakshak Medal. He is survived by his wife Deepa Pal and two daughters – Snehal and Tarushi.
