Coast Guard evacuates critically ill patient from Agatti to Kochi amid challenging weather

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration and Coast Guard District Headquarters at Kochi and Kavaratti, successfully carried out a critical medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) from Agatti to Kochi amid challenging weather conditions, ensuring timely medical assistance for a critically ill patient.

According to the Indian Coast Guard, the operation involved the urgent airlift of a 66-year-old patient who required specialised neurosurgical care. The patient was transported from Agatti to Kochi aboard an ICG Dornier aircraft operated from Coast Guard Air Enclave (CGAE), Kochi.

The patient required continuous oxygen support during the evacuation, making the operation particularly critical. The Coast Guard personnel carried out the mission despite formidable operational challenges posed by the prevailing weather conditions, ensuring that the patient could be transferred to a facility capable of providing the required neurosurgical treatment.

The Indian Coast Guard shared details of the operation on X, highlighting the coordination between its units and the Lakshadweep Administration in executing the medical evacuation.

“In a high-stakes operation amidst challenging weather, @IndiaCoastGuard, in coordination with the UTL Administration and Coast Guard District Headquarters Kochi and Kavaratti, successfully executed a critical MEDEVAC from Agatti to Kochi. An ICG Dornier ex-CGAE Kochi airlifted a 66-year-old critically ill patient requiring urgent neurosurgical care with continuous oxygen support,” the ICG posted.

“Undeterred by formidable operational challenges, the ICG stands true to its motto: ‘We Protect’,” it added.

The latest operation is part of the Coast Guard’s wider commitment to providing assistance and responding to emergencies at sea and coastal areas, besides its primary responsibility to safeguard India’s maritime interests.

Earlier, the ICG Station Okha, in collaboration with Asha Blood Bank, Porbandar, conducted a voluntary blood donation camp on October 1 to mark National Blood Donation Day. A total of 23 personnel of ICGS Okha and members of the Coast Guard Welfare & Wellness Association (CGWWA) participated in the blood donation drive.

The camp was conducted under medical supervision, with the Asha Blood Bank team ensuring safe collection and handling of the donated blood. The Coast Guard said the initiative reflected its commitment not only to safeguarding India’s maritime interests but also to the welfare of the communities it serves.

“The contribution of the donors will help sustain critical medical care and save lives, reflecting commitment to serve and save lives,” the ICG said.

Earlier on Thursday, the Coast Guard had also highlighted another major rescue operation after the fishing vessel Sant Anton-I went adrift off New Mangaluru. The ICG launched a coordinated sea-air operation amid adverse weather conditions and successfully brought all 31 fishermen safely back to shore.

The Coast Guard said the rescue was part of its legacy of saving more than 11,897 lives, reiterating its continued commitment to protecting people and ensuring safety across India’s maritime domain.

–IANS

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5,892 economic operator certificates issued to fast-track exports & imports: Minister

New Delhi, July 29 (IANS) The government has taken many steps to fast-track exports and imports under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) framework, which includes a higher level of facilitation for outgoing and incoming consignments, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

The key steps taken include facilitation measures for AEO certificate holders.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told the Rajya Sabha, in a written reply to a question, that 5,892 AEO certificates were issued as on June 30 for facilities including direct port delivery (DPD) for import containers and direct port entry (DPE) for export containers as well as automated clearance and on-site examination for certain types of consignments.

The facility of deferred payment was also extended for Tier-III and Tier-II AEO certificate holders, and relaxed norms for submission of bank guarantee were allowed, wherever applicable.

Besides, recognition was extended by Partner Government Agencies and other stakeholders to AEO certificate holders, and they also receive trade facilitation support from foreign customs administrations with whom India has signed Mutual Recognition Arrangement pacts, thereby enhancing their global trade efficiency, the minister said.

Chaudhury also said that the Centre conducted more than 60 outreach programmes across the country in the last three years, with particular focus on MSMEs to raise awareness about the AEO scheme. The government conducted a global conference titled “India AEO Dialogue: Enhancing Global Trade Partnerships” in November 2024. Two conferences were also held in April and May 2025, with various stakeholders, to raise awareness about the AEO programme. To increase the participation of MSMEs, in 2020, along with prioritised processing of their applications, the accreditation process was relaxed for MSMEs, and annexures to be provided with the application for AEO certification by MSMEs were also rationalised. The norms for submission of bank guarantee, wherever required, were also relaxed for AEO Certificate-holder MSMEs.

He also said that mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) are based on mutual acknowledgement of supply chain security standards, and AEO certificate holders of one country are recognised as secure and low-risk by the customs administration of another. Accordingly, exports by Indian AEO Certificate holders enjoy faster cargo release, fewer inspections and expedited customs clearance in partner countries, thus making exports by Indian AEO certificate holders more competitive and enhancing trade facilitation for them in partner countries.

–IANS

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Second sitting of Delhi Assembly’s Monsoon Session to be held tomorrow

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) The second sitting of the eighth Delhi Legislative Assembly’s sixth session will be held on Monday with the possible introduction of some of the three bills approved by the Business Advisory Committee for the ongoing Monsoon Session.

Earlier, the Business Advisory Committee of the Assembly met on August 5 and decided that three Bills relating to the time-bound delivery of public services, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board and bed-and-breakfast establishments will be introduced during the session.

After the Business Advisory Committee meeting, Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta told that during the session, Power Minister Ashish Sood will also lay the notification and corrigendum concerning the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Open Access) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2026, on the table of the House.

The Assembly Speaker also told that the Bills proposed to be introduced are “The Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of Services) Bill, 2026”, which provides for the repeal of the Delhi (Right of Citizens to Time Bound Services) Act, 2011; further a Bill proposing an amendment to Section 2, Clause (g), Sub-clause (iii) of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board Act, 2010, read with the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (Amendment) Act, 2015, and Delhi Act 5 of 2020; and a Bill proposing the repeal of “The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Incredible India) Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2007” (Delhi Act No. 11 of 2007), along with its Amendment Acts of 2010 and 2021.

On Friday, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report was tabled in the House, highlighting financial irregularities in the Delhi government under the previous Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party government.

Earlier, the Assembly Speaker said that the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat has completed all necessary arrangements for the smooth and orderly conduct of the session.

All notices required under the Rules will be submitted digitally through the NeVA Portal, with assistance available to members through the Notice Branch and the NeVA Sewa Kendra, he added.

Members wishing to raise matters under Rule 280 may submit their notices by 5 p.m. on the working day preceding the concerned sitting, Speaker Gupta said, appealing to all members to follow the prescribed procedures and extend their cooperation in ensuring productive proceedings during the three-day Assembly session.

The Assembly Speaker expressed confidence that the session would provide members with a meaningful opportunity to raise matters of public importance and participate in constructive deliberations on issues concerning the people of Delhi.

He said that informed debate, adherence to Legislative procedure and the responsible conduct of business were essential to preserving the dignity of the House and strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.

The Speaker said that comprehensive arrangements were being made to maintain a secure, disciplined and efficiently managed environment within the Assembly premises.

Hydraulic road blockers are being installed at all entry gates, access-control points are being reinforced, and a more responsive on-ground security mechanism is being put in place, he added.

A Quick Response Team of the Central Reserve Police Force has already been deployed to ensure an immediate and effective response to any exigency, he said.

Under the revised access protocol, entry to the premises will be regulated through Gate Number 1, while the remaining gates will remain restricted to streamline movement and strengthen perimeter control, Speaker Gupta added.

–IANS

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Rahul, Priyanka lay foundation stone for 100 homes in Wayanad, call survivors ‘family’

Wayanad, Feb 26 (IANS) In a significant outreach to landslide-affected families in Wayanad, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday laid the foundation stone for 100 houses being constructed by the Congress for survivors of the Chooralmala–Mundakkai disaster.

Addressing beneficiaries, Priyanka recalled her first visit to the region soon after the tragedy struck on July 30, 2024.

“What I saw that day will never leave me,” she said, recounting how families had lost homes, livelihoods, schools and businesses overnight.

What struck her most, she added, was the unity and courage displayed by people across religious lines.

Though she was not the MP at the time, Priyanka said she now feels like a member of the community.

“Between then and now, I have become a part of your family,” she said, describing how she had met proud farmers forced to take up daily wage work and small traders struggling after their shops were washed away.

She said the party had raised the issue at multiple forums, including Parliament, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a national disaster declaration, and written to the Prime Minister.

“Irrespective of politics, all stood together,” she noted.

The housing project will provide 1,100 sq ft homes on eight cents of land each.

While 3.25 acres have been acquired and sale deeds executed, another 2.18 acres will be purchased soon, with negotiations completed for five acres.

She also announced financial assistance of Rs five lakh for 40 affected shopkeepers to restart businesses.

Rahul Gandhi said the tragedy had revealed the resilience and compassion of Wayanad’s people.

“You lost a lot, but not your courage or your humanity,” he said, calling the ceremony an act of remembrance for those who died.

In a lighter moment, he narrated a sibling disagreement during their journey, drawing laughter from the gathering.

“The other day I said something silly to my sister and since then she has not spoken to me. I told my mother that my sister is not speaking to me and till the flight landed here, she had a long face. The moment we landed here, she changed. That’s what Wayanad means to us,” he said, reaffirming that their association with the district goes beyond politics.

–IANS

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