Former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni attended a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) event in Chennai on Tuesday, highlighting the importance of public vigilance in ensuring coastal security. The event, held at Marina Beach, was part of the CISF’s Mega Cyclothon, an awareness initiative covering India’s extensive coastline.
Dhoni, addressing the gathering, emphasized that security is a collective responsibility. “India has a very long coastline, and manning it alone is difficult, even for the Coast Guard, Navy, and police. This initiative encourages citizens to inform authorities if they notice anything unusual. We can all contribute because the security of society depends on all of us,” he said.
CISF’s Mega Cyclothon Initiative
The Mega Cyclothon, flagged off by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 7 in Tamil Nadu, involves two teams cycling a total of 6,553 km across 11 states and union territories. The initiative aims to engage coastal communities in strengthening security by acting as the “eyes and ears” of law enforcement agencies.
According to CISF officials, the initiative has covered 4,793 km so far, with over 20 lakh people participating in rallies and awareness campaigns. Additionally, more than 80 lakh individuals have engaged with the initiative online. The cyclothon is set to conclude in Kanyakumari on March 31.
Prominent Supporters of the Initiative
Besides Dhoni, several notable sports and film personalities have supported the initiative, including Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, footballer Baichung Bhutia, cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Javagal Srinath. Bollywood and South Indian film stars like Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Suriya, R Madhavan, Sunil Shetty, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, Manoj Bajpayee, and Milind Soman have also extended their support.
CISF’s Role in National Security
Established in 1969, the CISF is a 2-lakh personnel-strong force responsible for securing 68 civil airports across the country. It also provides counter-terrorism security to key nuclear and aerospace facilities, private sector establishments, and historical monuments like the Taj Mahal and Red Fort.
With Dhoni’s participation and support from other prominent figures, the CISF’s Mega Cyclothon is gaining significant attention, reinforcing the message that security is a shared responsibility among citizens and law enforcement agencies.
Sources By Agencies
