Navy to host multi-lateral exercise in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy would be hosting MILAN, a multilateral naval exercise, here in March 2020, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain said on Thursday. Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag at the naval base here, the Vice-Admiral said the MILAN series of biennial exercises, which commenced in 1995 and conducted at Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)until last year, was being conducted for the first time on the mainland at the eastern naval command (ENC).

Vice Admiral Jain emphasised that as primary custodians of maritime security, "we need to do our utmost in providing a favourable maritime environment for the country's economic growth and prosperity by making the Indian Navy a combat-ready, credible and cohesive force capable of meeting present and future challenges."

He reminded everyone present that with the changing security dynamics, maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was vital and therefore, the responsibility of everyone in ENC to be prepared to face challenges from traditional and-traditional asymmetric threats.

On the occasion of 73rd Independence Day, a ceremonial parade was held at ENCcomprising platoons of naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments, defence security corps and sea cadet corps.

Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, Chief of Staff, ENC, was the conducting officer of the parade which was attended by all Flag Officers, Commanding Officers of various ships and establishments at Visakhapatnam and several Armed Forces and civilian personnel, veterans and their families.

Vice Admiral Jain conveyed good wishes and greetings to all personnel on parade and their families on the occasion of the 73rd Independence Day and reiterated the need to remember the sacrifices of martyrs who fought for the country's freedom.

In an event at the Victory at Sea War Memorial on the Beach Road, Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad, Director General of Naval Projects, Visakhapatnam, placed a wreath and paid tribute to the martyrs for whom a two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect. Visakhapatnam district in-charge and animal husbandry, fisheries and marketing Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao unfurled the national flag at police parade grounds and distributed the meritorious certificates to government employees and police personnel. Independence day celebrations were also held at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, port trust, HPCL, NTPC Simhadri Power Plant, Hindustan Shipyard and other private and public organisations here, a press release said.