PASSING OUT CEREMONY HELD AT SATAVAHANA FOR BASIC SUBMARINE TRAINING

A Passing Out ceremony was held today, 24 Dec 10 at INS Satavahana, the premier Submarine Training Establishment of the Indian Navy, on the occasion of passing out of the 78th Basic Submarine Course (Officers) and the 77th Basic Submarine Course (Sailors). Rear Admiral AV Subhedar, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Eastern Naval Command was the chief guest and presented awards. A total of 30 officers and 67 sailors passed out on completion of six months of theoretical training. Captain Ayyagari Srinivas, Commanding Officer INS Satavahana was appreciative of the standards achieved by the trainees. SLt Vineet Sharma was adjudged as the Best All Round Officer, while Satyendra Singh Mech IV and Anil Kumar EMP I were declared the Best Overall Senior and Junior Sailors respectively. Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral Subhedar congratulated the awardees and other trainees on their achievement and exhorted them to continue to gain knowledge of submarines. The Admiral also stressed the importance of putting to practice the theoretical knowledge gained at the Submarine School. The trainees would now proceed onboard submarines for the Sea Training Phase. After six months of rigorous sea training, they would be examined by a Board and upon qualification as submariners they earn the privilege of wearing the coveted Dolphin Badge.

NAVY CHILDREN SCHOOL CELEBRATES ITS ANNIVERSARY

The Primary Wing of Navy Children School (Nausena Baugh) celebrated its 35th Annual Day on 22 Dec 10 at the Samudrika Naval Auditorium in a dazzling display of talent. Swarnim Bharat the theme for the evening resonated with the patriotic feelings of the students. The students put up a spectacular show of talent and held the audience spell bound with their confidence and charming performances. The Annual Report of the Primary School was presented by the Headmistress Mrs. T Anuradha Nagesh. The Chief Guest, Rear Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command applauded the children and the staff on the excellent programme and conveyed his happiness at the confidence shown by the young children. The Chief Guest gave away the prizes to the meritorious students. Navy Children School Management Committee members, Principal and dignitaries of the Eastern Naval Command were present on the occasion.

"WELDING HAS BECOME A PART OF LIFE IN INDUSTRY"

Sri T K Chand, Director (Commercial), RINL, VSP inaugurated an “Exhibition” organised on the occasion of “National Welding Seminar -2010” at Gurajada Kalakhetram in Ukkunagaram today. The 3 day seminar started on 21st December,2010. Twenty stalls from different organisations from all over the country were put up highlighting the welding science and technology in the present global business environment. For the first time Vizag branch of Indian Institute of Welding (IIW) organised this type of mega event in Visakhapatnam. A technical session started and 250 delegates from all over India including scientists from NSTL, IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Defence Metallurgical Research Institute (DMRI) participated in the proceedings. Around 100 technical papers are being presented by various scientists, engineers from welding community highlighting newer technologies in welding science. Speaking on the occasion, Sri T K Chand attributed welding as a link between two beginnings. He also expressed the hope that the seminar would spread knowledge related to welding technologies. Now a days welding has become a part of life in any industry and technology development takes place in field of welding. He said that the seminar will prove to be educative and useful to all from welder to engineer, a small welding shop to a big industry like VSP. Sri AP Choudhary, Director (Projects) and Chief patron of the seminar, Sri N S Rao, Local branch of IIW Chairman, Sri R Ravi, President, IIW, Sri Parimal Biswas, Secretary general, IIW, Sri M Saibabu, Org. Secretary of the seminar and large number of delegated attended.

WELDING – NO INDUSTRY CAN LIVE WITHOUT IT :SRI BISHNOI, CMD

Sri P K Bishnoi, CMD, RINL, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has said that the welding industry has come a long way however, considering the growing requirements of newer technologies, Indian Institute of Welding (IIW) need to reorient itself with well defined objectives related to cost & productivity, technology & process, quality & reliability, health & safety in order to stimulate and set global standards by integrating the material process and controls for improving its marketability and application. Sri Bishnoi, Chief Guest inaugurated the 3 day National Welding Seminar 2010 held at Training & Development Centre auditorium, VSP being organised by the local chapter of IIW and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant jointly today for the first time at Visakhapatnam city. Sri Bishnoi said that welding, no industry can live without it, be it manufacturing, construction, engineering, automobile etc. He stressed the need to develop new technologies in welding process which ensures production jobs completed in time. He added and said there is a critical need to attract top quality personnel to the welding community, right from welding engineers to business entrepreneurs and field workers. Sri AP Choudhary, Director (Projects), RINL and Chief patron of the seminar said that welding process playing a vital role in construction activities and industries are adopting latest technology in welding process in order to achieve the targeted results. He praised the IIW, Vizag chapter for its contribution to the manufacturing industry. Sri Choudhary appreciated the efforts of the Vizag Chapter in taking the initiative and conducting the seminar. Sri P Madhusudhan, Director (Finance), RINL said that welding is playing a key role in enhancing the life of equipment and also beneficial in reduction of cost of production. Sri R Ravi, president, IIW (India) presided over the function. Sri Parimal Biswas, Hon’ Secretaty general, IIW, (India) explained the activities of the IIW and its contribution in the field of welding. Sri N S Rao, Chairman, IIW Vizag branch welcomed the gathering. Sri M Saibabu, Org. secretary of the seminar proposed vote of thanks. The seminar aims to discuss welding science and technology in the present global business environment. Earlier, Sri Bishnoi released the souvenir brought out on this occasion. Sri P.Madhusudhan released the CD containing the proceedings of the seminar. Large number of delegates from all over India attended the seminar.

BANGLADESH NAVY SHIP AT VISAKHAPATNAM

Bangladesh Naval ship BNS Umar Farooq, arrived Visakhapatnam on Friday, 17 Dec 10, on a three day visit to the Eastern Naval Command. BNS Omar Farooq, commanded by Commander Mahamud Hossain Zia, is a 2,360 ton ex-Royal Navy Salisbury class Frigate with a crew of 40 officers and about 250 men. The ship was received by the officers and sailors of Eastern Naval Command on arrival here. Commander Mahamud Hossain Zia called on Rear Admiral P Murugesan, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet earlier in the day. Exchange of visits as well as professional interaction was undertaken between personnel of the two Navies. During their stay here, the Bangladesh Navy personnel played a friendly volleyball match with the Eastern Fleet Team. The Officers and crew of the Ship are also scheduled to visit various places of interest in and around Visakhapatnam prior departure on Monday, 20 Dec 10.

SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM J&K VISIT ENC

Twenty children from the Kashmir Valley, accompanied by an Officer and two staff members arrived here today, 16 Dec 10 on a two-day visit to Eastern Naval Command and Visakhapatnam. The team is on the fourth leg of an educational and motivational tour being undertaken by the Army under Mission Sadbhavana. The tour commenced from Srinagar on 07 Dec 10 and todate, the children have visited Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Gopalpur-on-Sea. The tour will further take the children to Agra, Delhi and Udhampur before returning to Srinagar on 24 Dec 10. Accommodated at INS Circars during their stay here, the children interacted with their counterparts from Navy Children School, Nau Sena Bagh. Later, they visited a Naval Warship and a Submarine. They are also scheduled to visit the Maritime Museum, Kursura Submarine Museum and the Ramakrishna Beach in the course of their Excursion. The visit was mainly intended to give the children from the remote hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir an opportunity to visit places, experience events that are alien to their own habitat and broaden their horizons. They also visited the scenic Kailashgiri and a few other tourist spots in and around the city. None of the children had travelled beyond the valley and they found the experiences of visiting ships and submarines, strolling along the beach front and even traversing the length and breadth of the country by train very novel and rewarding.

AN EMOTIONAL FAREWEL TO INS VAGLI

The Indian Navy decommissioned one of her oldest units, INS Vagli in a solemn ceremony at the Naval Dockyard today, 09 Dec 10. The Commissioning Commanding Officer of INS Vagli, Captain (Retd) Lalit Talwar was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He along with the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Vice Admiral Anup Singh witnessed the lowering of the National Flag and the Naval Ensign for the last time. To mark the completion of her services, a paying off pennant was lowered after sunset to the soul stirring Last Post sounded by the Naval Band. The Commanding Officer, Commander Ajay Bhatia thereafter ceremonially reported to the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Vice Admiral Anup Singh that INS Vagli was decommissioned. Several dignitaries from all over India, including the crew who originally manned her at her commissioning in 1974 arrived at Visakhapatnam to attend the Ceremony. INS Vagli, a Foxtrot class submarine Type 641B, was commissioned by then Lieutenant Commander Lalit Talwar on 10 Aug 1974 at Riga, Latvia, in the erstwhile Soviet Union. She was the first of the 'Vela' class of submarines to be commissioned into the Indian Navy. INS Vagli has completed 36 years of dedicated service under 23 Commanding Officers and is probably the oldest submarine of its class in the world and definitely the oldest unit in the Indian Navy. The submarine has in her operational life participated in almost all major tactical exercises off both the sea boards and elsewhere. The first submarine to be based at Mumbai, Vagli later shifted base port to Visakhapatnam in 1993. Despite being the oldest unit in commission in the Indian Navy, Vagli continued to serve with distinction. Even in its last Operational cycle she completed 137 days at sea and 1232 dived hours. That the Indian Navy was able to operate a boat of this vintage so effectively also bears testimony to the dedication and skills of generations of maintainers and operators.

Business is booming for Tibetian sellers of warm clothing near Police Barracks in Visakhapatnam thanks to the unusually cold weather.

NAVAL OPERATIONAL DISPLAY MARKS NAVY DAY CELEBRATIONS

On the occasion of the Navy Day, the Eastern Naval Command conducted a Naval Operational Display here at the RK Beach highlighting the multi-dimensional warfare capability of the Indian Navy in protecting the vast maritime borders and interests of the country. Vice Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The Event enthralled thousands of citizens of Visakhapatnam including civil dignitaries The Chief Guest on arrival at the venue was greeted by a burst of 84 mm Rockets and Water Plume Charges by Marine Commandos. The display of naval power continued with the demonstration of helicopters landing and taking off from a moving column of warships in close formation, which was closely followed by high speed runs by Missile Corvettes simulating missile engagement of the enemy by firing flares. The Marine Commandos then displayed a wide range of combat capabilities, including slithering operations and remote detonation of oil rigs. The display by the MARCOS included an exciting Amphibious Assault demonstration. Six different types of aircraft of Eastern Naval Command, including the TU142-M flying in all the way from Arakkonam, then took to the skies in a thrilling Flypast. The submarine followed thereafter surfacing in line with the Dais. Another demonstration by the MARCOS showed take-over of a hostile ship by speed boats and by slithering down from helicopters. The Minesweepers anchored in formation thereafter, followed by Beating Retreat Ceremony by the Naval Band. Even as the sun set over the Grand Display, the ships carried out live Anti-aircraft firing on simulated targets. The program concluded with the National Anthem and a display of fireworks and illumination by the ships.

FLORAL TRIBUTES TO MARTYRS ON NAVY DAY

The Eastern Naval Command celebrated the Navy Day today, 04 Dec 10. On this historic day in the year 1971, Missile Boats of the Indian Navy with their lethal and powerful missiles attacked Karachi harbour, paving the way for a great victory for India. On this occasion, all the personnel of the Eastern Naval Command rededicate themselves to the service of the country and to protecting the vast maritime boundaries and the national assets off the Eastern Seaboard. The Eastern Naval Command paid homage to service personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in various actions including 1971 War. A floral wreath was placed by Vice Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at the Navy War Memorial. Wreaths were also placed by President Navy Foundation Vice Admiral (Retd) AVR Narayan Rao and Zilla Sainik Welfare Officer Captain (Retd) Satya Prasad. They were also joined by 100 NCC cadets. A 50 men Guard of Honour was paraded on the occasion, and on arrival, the Flag Officer proceeded to the War Memorial in slow march with the wreath bearers marching in front. The Guard performed the Salami Shastra followed by Shok Shastra and the Commander-in-Chief placed the floral wreath. While the bugler sounded the Last Post, a two minute silence was observed. With the guard reverting to the Salami Shastra position, the Bugler sounded, Rouse heralding the end of the Ceremony.

ENC BAND SYPHONIC CONCERT HELD AT SAMUDRIKA

Eastern Naval Command Symphonic Band Concert was held at Samudrika Naval Auditorium today, 03 Dec 10. In the Ninety minute program hosted by Vice Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command on the eve of the Navy Day, the versatile Band showcased its capability by performing Martial Music, Western Classical and Hindustani Classical Music. The Concert, under the baton of Lieutenant Commander Vijay C DCruz, opened with a Quick March titled Liberty Bell. Major works like Les Patineurs by Emily Waldteufel, Fiddler on the Roof and Lustspiel followed. Other arrangements for Military Band like Vaishnava Janato by MS Neer were presented later. The Band also rendered popular Telugu, Hindi and English songs. The soul stirring Naval Song Jai Bharati by M Dias and J Rodrigues, depicted the selfless service of the Navy and performed to perfection. This brought the curtains down on the Band Concert presented by the 50 men Band to an appreciative audience comprising a large number of Senior Naval Officers, Civilian Dignitaries, sailors and their families.