RAKSHA
MATRI VISITS WNC
Honour to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his
country’s cause. Honour also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the
field and serves, as he best can, the same cause…..Abraham
Lincoln
Seldom do Veterans
get an Honoured opportunity to interact with a Cabinet Minister in a congenial
circumambience. The humane fortuitousness was facilitated by HQWNC for the Naval Veterans of Mumbai, when the Defence Minister
Shri Rajnath Singh visited the Financial Capital on 17th May for the
Launch of two stealth ships 'Udaygiri' and 'Surat' at the Mazagaon Docks. After the Launch of
the two ships the Minister was taken to Naval Uprising Memorial, Colaba to lay
wreath and pay Homage. He then reviewed the Gallery of RIN Mutiny and was
presented the Book “Naval Uprising – 1946” by our Commander in Chief VAdm AB
Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC.
The CRSO, Capt Sunil
Anand had requested NFMC and VSF for 20 and 30 Veterans respectively for Lunch
interaction with RM at 1230 hr on 17 May at Sailors Institute ‘Sagar’. Due to
restricted numbers and paucity of time Cdr Vadhera had nominated select
Veterans and informed the CRSO. Elaborate arrangements had been made by OIC
Sailors Institute. INS Kunjali had catered for adequate Parking arrangements
opp Sagar. Cdr Vadhera was informed about him sharing the Head Table along with
RM, CNS and CinC along with a VSF Veteran. Very thoughtful of the Command to
provide opportunity to Veterans to freely interact with RM.
The ground-floor
central Hall was well decorated with adequate seating arrangements for about
200 personnel. It was a pleasure indeed to meet some of my Veteran sailors from
my ex ships and INS Valsura. Veteran Shashikant Mishra, MCERA who was among the
Veterans in the First Veterans Day Parade, cheerfully met the Veteran Officers
and snapped their group photo. Lt Ambika, the JA from Angre briefed all present about the schedule to be followed. The Veteran Officers who were fortunate to
interact with Flag Officers and senior officers of WNC and later with RM were
Cdr Vadhera, President NFMC, Cdr Nozar Engineer, Cmde Anand Singh, Cdr Abhishek
Kankan, Cmde Odakkal Johnson, Surg Cmde(D) Arun Mehta, Cmde Prodip Mehra, Cdr
Man Singh, Cdr Sanjay Karve, Cdr Shailendra Sharma, Cdr SK Jana, Cdr PVR
Krishnan, LtCdr Rajeshwari Kori and Surg LtCdr AH Subudhi.
The Arrival of Chief
Guest was indicated by the chiming of the sonorous orchestra of the Naval Live Band from the
First Floor of Sagar. Raksha Mantri was accompanied by CNS and CinC and
interacted with serving personnel followed by Veterans. Cdr Vadhera stole the Golden opportunity to confidently brief the RM about the Veterans Day Parade being
prided by Australia & NZ (ANZAC Day) on 25 Apr; USA And Allied nations
(Remembrance Day) on 11 Nov every year and our very own First Veterans Day
Parade on Marine Drive on 12 Jan 2020. He requested the RM to consider this
event Pan India by all three services on Veterans Day annually. RM had been
quite receptive and nodded his appreciation and said he’d speak to the Chiefs
during the joint meeting. A very positive outcome of the Day that fills our
Hearts with pride indeed. Hon Lt Upadhyay soon took to stage and welcomed the
Raksha Mantri in a Josh Speech. RM spoke about the sacrifices of Jawans of all
three services and said the Nation is undeniably proud of our Armed Forces. Do
listen to his motivational speech (attached below).
The multicuisine
delectable Lunch was exceptional on white tables, where we had an opportunity
to interact with other sailors and Veterans. The Ras-malai and Kulfi were
exquisite.
A splendid Event
organized very meticulously by Western Naval Command. “BRAVO ZULU”
IN THE
NEWS : Hon'ble #RakshaMantri Shri
Rajnath Singh launched two frontline warships of the Indian Navy, 'Surat' and
'Udaygiri at #MDL, Mumbai on 17 May 2022. 'Surat' is the fourth Guided Missile
Destroyer of P15B class, while Udaygiri' is the second Stealth Frigate of P17A
class launched in MDL. Both warships have been designed in-house by the
Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built at MDL, Mumbai. The RM in his address
described the warships as an embodiment of Government's unwavering commitment
to enhance the country's maritime capability, with focus on achieving
#AatmaNirbharta. He congratulated MDL for continued ship production activities
despite the pandemic and meeting the requirements of Indian Navy in current
geo-political scenario. He emphasised that Udaygiri and Surat are shining
examples of India's growing indigenous capability and will represent India's
strategic strength to the world. The warships will be among the most
technologically advanced missile platforms in the world and cater to the
present as well as future requirements. He also said that in the times to come,
India will not only fulfill it's own needs, but will also meet the shipbuilding
requirements of the world in line with the Hon'ble #PrimeMinister Shri Narendra
Modi's vision of #Makeinindia, Make for the World. #AatmaNirbharBharat
#HarkaamDeshKeNaam #Indian Navy #ShipBuilding
TWEET BY
PRO NAVY : Raksha Mantri Shri
@rajnathsingh
accompanied by Adm R Hari Kumar #CNS, laid a
wreath & paid homage at the Naval Uprising memorial at Colaba #Mumbai on 17
May 22.
Beautifully captured the whole programme. Gave us Ring side view to us
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