Summerex-2003, a major annual Naval exercise at sea, was conducted under the overall operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command in the strategically important Bay of Bengal. Ships of the Western Naval Command, Coast Guard, aircraft of the Indian Air Force and troops and vehicles from Army operated along with the ships, aircraft and submarines of the Eastern Naval Command participated. The focus during the exercise was on synergisation of combat capabilities of the Indian Navy in a challenging environment.

Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command visited Visakhapatnam on conclusion of the exercise and held discussions with Vice Admiral Raman Puri, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at the Naval base. The two Commanders-in-Chief examined the realisation of targets set during the exercise in a debrief conducted at Visakhapatnam along with the two viz Fleet Commanders Rear Admiral Vijay Shankar of the Western Fleet and Rear Admiral Raman Prem Suthan of the Eastern Fleet.

The participating ships and submarines of the Eastern and Western Fleets entered Visakhapatnam harbour on completion of the exercise. The crew participated in sports and cultural events which were arranged as part of the interaction between the two fleets.

An impressive convocation ceremony to mark the completion of the first batch of four-year Marine Engineering Course was conducted by Naval Maritme Academy (NAMAC), Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral Raman Puri, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command was the chief guest on the occasion. The cadets of the Academy presented a variety entertainment programme which was followed by an award ceremony and prize distribution. In all, 28 cadets of the Academy were awarded BSc (Tech) Marine Degrees of the Andhra University. Cadets AK Mahto, P Arun Kumar, Gurpreet Singh and M Prakash secured the first four positions in the merit list. The ceremony was attended by senior Naval officers, civilian dignitaries and relatives of the cadets.

Complimenting the cadets, Vice Admiral Raman Puri in his key-note address called upon them to excel in their profession as marine engineers. In association with a large number of shipping industries and maritime countries across the globe, they should act as ambassadors of the country, he added.

An impressive passing-out parade of two batches of Naval Architecture Officers was held at the Navy Shipwright School, Visakhapatnam. Rear Admiral S Mahapatra, Director, NSTL, the chief guest at the function, presented trophies to the trainees. The parade was attended by a number of Naval personnel and family members of the trainees.

Naval Architecture Officers of the Engineering Branch are the highly qualified professionals who deal with design, construction and repairs of Naval warships. Of the two courses that passed out, the first batch comprised five Permanent Commission officers who joined Navy with 10+2 qualification and later completed B Tech in naval architecture from Cochin University and postgraduation in warship construction from IIT, Delhi. The second batch consisted of seven Short Service Commission officers who joined Navy after obtaining a degree in civil engineering.

Both the batches underwent professional training for six months at Navy Shipwright School in subjects like shipbuilding, hull maintenance and ship-drawing. They also made visits to various industrial units. The trainee officers also participated in a number of outdoor activities such as firing, adventure camps, sailing and games. Lt SK Rao of the Permanent Commission and Sub Lt Pawan Kumar of the Short Service Commission were adjudged the best passing-out officers.

An impressive two-day science exhibition was held at the Naval Public School, Nua Sena Baugh, Visakhapatnam. Nearly 500 exhibits including 280 working models in physical and biological sciences were put on display.

The exhibition which was inaugurated by Rear Admiral PS Byce, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command invoked tremendous response among students of the local schools. More than one thousand secondary and higher secondary students from 22 schools visited the exhibition.

Lt Gen JS Verma, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command visited the premier Naval establishment in Kolkata, INS Netaji Subhas. On arrival, he was received by Cmde P Sengupta, CO, INS Netaji Subhas who is also Naval Officer-in-Charge, West Bengal. During the visit of Army Commander, a presentation was made highlighting the role and operational responsibility of the Naval establishment towards seaward defence of the maritime zone. This was Army Commander’s maiden visit.

Lt Gen Varma laid a wreath at the Laskar Memorial in honour of the laskars who laid down their lives during World War-I. Later, he went around different units of the Naval establishment.

Surg Vice Admiral SP Malhotra, Director General Medical Services (Navy) laid down his office on July 31 last after rendering a meritorious service for over 39 years. The Flag Officer is an eminent ENT specialist with masters degree in ontology. He has the distinction of serving in various capacities in both Army and Navy.

Surg Vice Admiral SP Malhotra was instrumental in shaping and equipping INHS Asvini, the prestigious command hospital of the Indian Navy. During his tenure, he laid emphasis on total devotion and dedication towards patient care with human touch. His services received recognition and the Flag Officer was honoured with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2001. He was also Honorary Surgeon to the President of India.