The Hindu : Front Page : President arrives for fleet review

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Sunday, Feb 12, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

President arrives for fleet review

Special Correspondent

First-ever Naval fleet review outside Mumbai in public view

SPECIAL GUEST: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam being escorted by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Sureesh Mehta, Navy Chief Arun Prakash and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on his arrival on Saturday at INS Dega in Visakhapatn am. — Photo: K.R. Deepak

VISAKHAPATNAM: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam arrived here on Saturday afternoon for a three-day visit during which he would review the Naval Fleet, witness the Operational Prowess Demonstration (OPD) of the Navy and also attend a few other programmes.

This is for the first time that Dr. Kalam is visiting the city as President. Another significant aspect is that the President's Fleet Review (PFR) is being held for the first time outside Mumbai and for the first time in public view, with about 3 to 4 lakh people thronging the over 5-km-long beach front on Sunday afternoon to witness the OPD.

The President was presented a 150-man guard of honour and 21-gun salute at the Naval Air Station, INS Dega. He was received by Navy Chief Arun Prakash and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) Sureesh Mehta.

He was later greeted by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Union Minister of State for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy, State Home Minister K. Jana Reddy, Visakhapatnam MP and former Chief Minister N. Janardhana Reddy, some State Ministers and district officials.

Dr. Kalam left for the ENC Officers' Mess from the airport. He attended the first programme of his visit by spending some time at the Samudrika auditorium where the Navy Band held a concert. From there he was taken to a viewpoint on the Dolphin's Nose hill from where he saw the illuminated Naval ships anchored off Ramakrishna Beach. Later in the evening, he attended a banquet hosted by ENC in his honour.

As many as 41 ships and submarines, including Navy's flag ship aircraft carrier INS Viraat, would participate in the Fleet Review to be held on Sunday morning. In the afternoon, the Indian Navy would unveil its three-dimensional prowess. Several naval ships, a submarine, and helicopters would participate in the display.

OPD also includes aerobatics by the Sagar Pawan squadron and sky-diving.

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