To mark the Navy Day on December 4, the Southern Naval Command will roll out a host of programmes from the last week of November. The news conference at the Ernakulam Press Club was addressed by Commodore V.Z. Job, commanding officer of INS Venduruthy and station commander, Kochi area.
Also present were Captain Ajay Chellappan, executive officer of INS Venduruthy, and Commander Atul Pillai, defence PRO in Kochi.
The commodore said that Navy Day marks the daring attack launched by the missile boats of the Indian Navy on Karachi during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. The theme of the Navy Week 2023 is ‘Indian Navy: Combat Ready, Credible and Future Proof’.
Ships at Southern Naval Command will open to children with special needs and senior citizens on November 18 and then to invited school students from November 20 to 21. During the visit, exhibition stalls will showcase advanced weapons and equipment.
From November 17 to 19, the Indian Naval Symphonic Band will perform at the Indian Naval Maritime Museum in Fort Kochi. Additionally, an exclusive photo exhibition is scheduled at Lulu Mall, Kochi, from November 17 to 19, displaying images captured by journalists across the country.
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Vice Admiral M.A. Hampiholi, will address the media onboard a naval ship on December 2. On the evening of December 3, the Southern Naval Command Band will perform a special symphonic band performance at the Naval Base in Kochi for a restricted audience.
Navy Day on December 4 will begin with Admiral M.A. Hampiholi laying a wreath at the War Memorial at the Southern Naval Command, followed by the naval operations demonstration on the evening of December 4 at Rajendra Maidan, Ernakulam.
The demonstration will display the operational capabilities of navy ships, along with aircraft operations and special operations. Other events like synchronised drills performance by NCC cadets and illumination by ships are also planned. The ‘At Home Reception’ hosted by Vice Admiral M.A. Hampiholi, in the Navy House, will be attended by distinguished persons from government and civil society, including serving and retired defence personnel.
