A Naval delegation from Vietnam led by Rear Admiral Be Quoc Hung, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Vietnam Peoples Navy visited Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam. The visit aimed to promote bilateral co-operation and interaction between the navies of the two countries.

Rear Admiral Be Quoc Hung called on Vice Admiral Raman Puri, the then FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command at the Headquarters. Both the Flag Officers held discussions on repair and refit facilities for maintenance of Naval ships and training procedures adopted by the Indian Navy vis-a-vis those followed by the Vietnamese Navy.

The Vietnamese delegation visited various infrastructural facilities at naval establishments including Naval Dockyard, Material Organisation and INS Eksila, the premier technical establishment of the Indian Navy for undertaking overhaul of marine gas turbines. The delegation also visited INS Kulish, a front-line warship of the command. The delegation evinced keen interest in the refit and repair facilities and inventory system of stores of the Eastern Naval Command.

When a devastating flood hit Southern Sri Lanka recently, Indian Navy came forward less than 24 hours after her help was sought. INS Sharda from the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, mobilised all resources and set sail with dispatch for Port Galle. The ship carried a number of mechanised rubber boats, divers, communication team, medical personnel and tons of ration along with necessary medicines. The Indian Naval personnel rendered assistance in the four flood affected districts of Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Kauthra with its swift and timely relief operations. Cdr Shyam Kumar commanded INS Sharda.

Southern Naval Command (SNC) organised 'A Day at Sea' for students of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This was the second such conducted programme by SNC for students. About 100 students accompanied by five teachers sailed on Indian Naval ships Sujata and Sharda for a day at sea.

During the sea sortie, the students got acquainted with life on-board naval ships. They were also exposed to some Naval exercises such as search and rescue by helicopter at sea, casualty evacuation from ship underway menoeuvres for replenishment (transfer of personnel and stores between two ships while underway) and anti- aircraft firing.

National Medicine Update-2003, in the series of continuing medical education programmes, was organised at Western Naval Command. It was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, the then
FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command, Mumbai at INHS Asvini. The programme aimed at keeping all medical officers and postgraduate students abreast of the latest developments in the field of medicine.

In his welcome address, Surgeon Rear Admiral VK Singh, Commanding Officer, INHS Asvini, highlighted the significance of the update and suggested that such updates be held frequently. Speakers from civil and defence medical organisations spoke on various topics on the occasion. Lt Gen BN Shahi, DGAFMS, delivered the key-note address on 'Cardiology in Armed Forces: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow'. The proceedings of the update was released by Surgeon Rear Admiral P Sivadas, CMO, Western Naval Command.

It was a "Baby Show" with a difference. Organised by the Navy Wives Welfare Association (Southern Region) in association with the Station Health Organisation, Kochi, 60 children under five years of age took part in the programme.

The show was conducted at 'Sagarika'. The programme was marked with fun as one person dressed as a magician kept the audience amused while a bunny rabbit and a joker mingled freely on stage. A health quiz was conducted for mothers. Mrs Mira Kaushiva, Vice President NWWA (Southern Region) gave away prizes to the winners.

Earlier, the children along with their mothers were screened by a group of doctors.

The 47th anniversary of the School for Naval Airmen (SFNA) was celebrated in a unique manner. The staff and trainees of SFNA joined hands to devote a day to the case of special children at Mother Teresa's orphanage, Mattancherry. The representatives of the school spent a couple of hours with special children and donated food material and cloth.

Vice Admiral Om Prakash Bansal took over the command as the new FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command from Vice Admiral Raman Puri at an impressive ceremonial parade held at the Naval Base, Visakhapatnam.

Vice Admiral Bansal inspected ceremonial guard and reviewed a large number of platoons of naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments of the Eastern Naval Command. Prior to appointment, Vice Admiral OP Bansal was the Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN).

Vice Admiral Yashwant Prasad took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command from Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh at an impressive ceremonial parade held at the Naval Base, Kochi.

Vice Admiral Prasad, who arrived at the parade after laying a wreath at the war memorial, was received by Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh. He inspected a 50-men guard of honour and 33 platoons on parade while the Naval band played the tunes of Anand Lok, By Land and Sea, Rani ka Nishan and Beneath the Waves.

Prior to appointment, Vice Admiral Prasad was Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters, Delhi.

Eastern Naval Command organised a painting competition for the schoolchildren at Swarna Bharthi Municipal Indoor Stadium. The competition was conducted with an aim to promote creative skills and competitive spirit among children. The event was also aimed at encouraging innovative ideas for the logo of this year’s Navy Week.

The competition evoked overwhelming response from the students. About 2000 children from 61 schools participated in the event. The competition was held for three age groups. Rear Admiral Pratap Singh Byce, Chief of Staff, Headquarters. Eastern Naval Command was the chief guest on the occasion. The event was organised by Fleet Maintenance Unit.

INHS Asvini organised a ‘Run for Health’. About 500 officers, Nursing Officers, sailors and probationer nurses participated in the run. The run was flagged off by Surgeon Rear Admiral VK Singh, Commanding Officer, INHS Asvini. Prizes were given to the best runners at the end of the event.

Navy Squash Championship was conducted at Squash Racquets Federation of India Courts in Chennai.

Three teams from Western Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command and Southern Naval Command participated in the championship. Western Naval Command emerged as the winners. The chief guest on the occasion was Cmde T Hari, Naval Officer-in-Charge, Tamil Nadu.