KOCHI: Highlighting the theme 'Indian Navy Combat Ready Force for National Security', this year's Navy Week celebration organised by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) will begin on November 28.
Besides the cultural programmes and goodwill services, the celebration will be marked by a 21-km Kochi Navy Marathon in which civilians can also participate. Programmes will be held in Lakshadweep Islands also.
Kochi Navy Marathon
Aimed at promoting healthy living among service personnel and civilians, the Kochi Navy Marathon will be held on November 26 under three categories- the 21 km (Venduruthy Run), 10 km (Dronacharya Run) and 5 km (Garuda Run). The route for the run is planned through Willingdon Island and will also pass through the Naval Base in Kochi for a few kilo metres. All participants will be awarded a ‘Finisher Medal’, ‘Race Timing Certificate’, a commemorative T-shirt and an attractive race kit bag as a souvenir. Olympian P T Usha will be the chief guest. Registration can be made by logging on to www.kochinavymarathon.com till November 15.
Cultural Programmes
The Military photo exhibition, which has been an important part of the Navy Fest, will be held at the Press Club gallery from November 28–30. The selected photographs will also be on display at Centre Square Mall from December 1-4. The Naval band will perform at Sagarika auditorium at the Naval base on November 25 for invitees, while a concert for the public will be held at Fort Kochi on December 15.
Goodwill services
A conducted tour for schoolchildren will be held in November. The children will be shown Naval Warships and aircraft during the tour.
Goodwill services will be carried out at Don Bosco 'Sneha Bhavan' at Palluruthy, 'Vatsalya Bhavan - Home for Girls' at Ponnurunny, Home for the Physically Challenged Women at Thevara and at 'Prathyasha Orphanage' for four days from October 25. Community service will also be held at ‘Good Hope’ old age home at Fort Kochi. The inmates of ‘Good Hope’ old age home will be invited to INS Dronacharya on November 4, where they will be entertained with continuity drill, a visit to Naval Maritime museum and various cultural events.
Training on Basic Life Support and first aid for NCC cadets, students, teachers and health centre staff of L&M islands will be held, besides carrying out medical drive at Minicoy, Kalpeni, Androth, and Kavaratti for the people of the island from November 6 to 11. SNC will also be organising a blood donation camp at ‘INHS Sanjivani’ on November 22.
Naval ships will visit smaller ports such as Vizhinjam, Kollam, Beypore, and Androth from mid-November to mid-December to provide the public with a chance to see the ships
Naval Operations Demonstration
The Naval Operations Demonstration, the major attraction of the Navy Week celebration, will be conducted at two venues - at the waterfront of Rajendra Maidan/ Subhash Park and at the Fort Kochi beach, both concurrently on December 10.
Full dress rehearsal for the demonstration will be on December 9. Subhash Park and Fort Kochi beach will be open for the public to watch the demo while entry to Rajendra Maidan will be based on invitation.
The operations demo includes missions by Marine Commandos, display by approximately 10 ships and about 13 fixed wing and rotary-winged aircraft of the Navy, including the latest P8I aircraft. INS Kochi named after the city will also be participating in the demonstration. Continuity drill by 54 Naval personnel showcasing the Naval discipline and a “Beating Retreat Ceremony” by the Naval Band and a horn pipe demo by girl scouts of Sea Cadet Corps will be the other highlights of the event.
The ‘Chair tricks display’ by IN physical trainers will be a novelty of this year’s operational demo.