While the practice of carrying Colours into battle has died out, the great tradition of receiving, holding and parading the Colours continues undiminished. The Colours remain a symbol of the spirit of the unit and a link with its glorious past. In India, the President's Colours are presented to the unit either by the President himself or by a person nominated by him. The presentation of the President's Colours to a unit is a sign of recognition of the distinguished service rendered by the recipient unit.

On December 1, last year, the Indian Coast Guard has had the honour of receiving Colours from President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The Colours presentation ceremony took place at Coast Guard Air Station, Daman with a large number of dignitaries witnessing the ceremony. The event was beamed live on Doordarshan across the country.

The President's Colours are made of the finest indigenous silk spun by Indian craftsmen. With silver fringes, the Colours are carried on a seven foot staff of oak wood. A seven-inch silver plated metal crest carrying four Ashoka lions forms the head of the staff. The field of the Colours is Navy Blue containing the national flag in its first upper quarter and Coast Guard emblem in silver at the centre. The Colours symbolise all features-discipline, loyalty, sacrifice, unity and bravery assocated with the Armed Forces of the country. The President's Colours are kept in the office of the Director General, Coast Guard at Coast Guard Headquarters and is paraded on important ceremonial occasions.

Comdt Robin Cherian led the parade consisting of 450 men for Colours presentation. The ceremonial guard was commanded by Deputy Comdt Sudhanshu Bajpai. The President, on arrival, was given Rashtriya salute followed by a 21-gun salute.This Colours presentation assumed significance as it coincided with the silver jubilee year of the Coast Guard.