Inspector General Donny Michael, TM (Gallantry) took over the helm of Coast Guard Region (East) from Inspector General Anand Prakash Badola, PTM, TM in a ceremonial parade held at Coast Guard Air Station, Chennai on 21 Nov 2023.
The new Regional Commander, Inspector General Donny Michael, a graduate from Loyola College, Chennai, joined Indian Coast Guard on 06 July 1990. He has won numerous awards for academic excellence at Indian Naval Academy and completed his specialist course in Navigation and Direction from ND School Kochi. His other qualifications include Masters in Maritime Affairs from World Maritime University, Sweden, Search and Rescue Course from SAA, Singapore and he is a fellow of Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping, Mumbai.
To further hone his professional competence in the vast maritime arena for law enforcement, he completed his legal education by obtaining LLB degree from the Delhi University in 2011. He was awarded the Coast Guard Gallantry Medal for his brave display of leadership role for saving a burning merchant vessel near Mumbai in September 2012. The officer has held the command of the Inshore Patrol Vessel ‘Ahalyabai’ and Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Savitribai Phule’, the first indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel named ‘Samudra Prahari’ and the Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel ICGS ‘Sarang’.
On relinquishing command, IG AP Badola, PTM, TM is proceeding on permanent transfer to Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi as Deputy Director General (Policy and Plans) after a successful and eventful two and a half years stint at Chennai. The Coast Guard Region (East) saw massive expansion during his time with addition of new assets, infrastructure development and innumerable life-saving operations.