KOCHI: The operational demonstration of Indian Navy, held annually as part of Navy Day celebrations, will be held at Ernakulam Wharf in Willingdon Island on December 3. The Navy usually held the demonstration at Rajendra Maidan, however, the city corporation rejected the Navy’s application this time, informing that the venue has been booked for some other event.
The Southern Naval Command (SNC) will be organising a series of community outreach programme to mark the Navy Day celebrations, informed INS Venduruthy commanding officer Commodore N Hariharan on Friday.
The Navy Day, observed on December 4, commemorates the Indian Navy’s daring missile boat attacks on Karachi Harbour during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The activities will commence on November 6 and culminate on December 4.
The celebrations will begin with the SNC organising the Navy Day Sahara Lunch and get-together on November 6. The event will bring together the spouses of the retired members of the naval fraternity, reaffirming the bonds of camaraderie and mutual support.
The naval base will open its doors to special children and senior citizens on November 16. School students will be provided an opportunity to experience naval life at close quarters on November 23. They will also be provided a guided visit to naval ships and INS Garuda, as well as display of weapons, equipment and models of ships and aircraft.
These initiatives are intended to familiarise students with the Navy’s people, platforms and capabilities. In addition, INS Garuda, the naval air station, will be holding a military photo exhibition at Forum Mall in Kochi from November 20 to 22.
it will feature photographs captured by naval photographers and journalists from across the country and a visual glimpse of naval operations and the Navy’s contribution to maritime security. The centrepiece of the Navy Day celebrations has been the naval operations demonstration.