Vice Admiral Harinder Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, inaugurated a two-day ‘Maritime Operations Seminar-2002’ organised by the Navigation and Direction School under the aegis of the Southern Naval Command. The seminar was held at Sagarika Auditorium at the Kochi Naval base. Ten papers were presented which covered topics relating to maritime surveillance, utility of air based force multiplier, amphibious operations, network centric warfare, sub launched missile capability, maritime patrol aircraft to mutli-purpose aircraft, asymmetric warfare, organic mine counter measures and employment of special forces.

The Officer-in-Charge, ND School, Capt Hari Nair welcomed the delegates who had arrived in Kochi to participate in the deliberations. Also present on the occasion were the FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command and DG Coast Guard besides senior officers from other commands. Vice Admiral Harinder Singh also released a souvenir and a compendia of the papers presented at the seminar. Vice Admiral Raman Puri, FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command the valedictory address.

The annual ‘Fleet Evening’ celebrations titled ‘Flying-2002’ highlighting the performance and operational standards achieved by the naval ships of the Eastern Fleet during the preceding year, were held at the Naval Auditorium Samudrika at Naval Base, Visakhapatnam.

Vice Admiral Raman Puri, FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command, was the chief guest on the occasion. He gave away trophies to the fleet ships which excelled in various professional disciplines and tasks assigned for meeting operational readiness in safeguarding the national interests on the eastern seaboad. The frontline destroyer class ship, INS Rana commanded by Capt Suresh Laxman emerged as the winner of the most coveted "Best Ship" Trophy for overall excellent performance in addition to having the distinction of bagging as many as eight other trophies. INS Kora was awarded the "Most Spirited Ship" Trophy.

A cultural programme showcasing the naval life and maritime heritage, and highlighting the spirit of national integration was staged on the occasion at the naval auditorium with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm by the personnel and their family members of the fleet ships. The splendid cultural fete enthralled the large gathering of naval officers, sailors and their families and the special invitees.

The Eastern Fleet, the sword arm of the Eastern Naval Command which had its humble beginning in June 1971, has grown significantly into a well balanced and strong multidimensional force, capable of facing challenges at sea for effective Surveillance and safeguarding the sea frontiers on the east coast. The Eastern Fleet consists of powerful Rajput class destroyers, indigenously built Khukri class missile corvettes, Petya class antisubmarine vessels, offshore patrol vessels and the fleet tanker Aditya. During last year, the fleet carried out joint exercises with ships of foreign navies including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Japan, Philippines, France and Poland. The major amphibious exercise, AMPHEX-2001 conducted with participation of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard, operational deployment on the western seaboard, participation in the International Fleet Review in Mumbai in February last year, goodwill visits to a number of foreign countries and the display of naval operations off the Ramakrishna beach in December last year for the general public of Visakhapatnam were some of the significant activities of the Eastern Fleet during last year. The motto of the Eastern Fleet, Viraha Visamha which means ‘meeting adversity with bravery’, literally symbolises the very spirit of the courageous men onboard who blend the fleet ships into a composite fighting force.

The Indian Navy’s Physical Training School (INPT) which conducts basic and specialisation courses in physical training for officers and sailors of the Navy, was shifted to its new premises in the naval base with the inauguration of its permanent building by Vice Admiral Harinder Singh, FOC-in-C Southern Naval Command. On an average, this school trains about 50 officers and 150 sailors in various courses including higher rank courses for all sailors of the PT cadre and refresher courses for selected sailors. In addition, personnel from the Coast Guard and friendly foreign navies also undergo training here annually.

INPT School was established at Cochin in the early 1950s and later it was shifted to INS Angre in Mumbai and thereafter INS Hamla, Malad, before being resited at Kochi where most of the training schools are located. Rear Admiral RP Suthan, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command and other senior naval and Army Officers including the Chief Engineer (Navy) Col Mohan Khaladkar were also present on the occasion.

A colourful ceremonial parade on the occasion of the passing out of 21 officers and 72 sailors of the 22 week basic submarine course was held at INS Satavahana, the premier submarine training establishment at Visakhapatnam. Rear Admiral PS Byce reviewed the parade.