Independence Day Parade held at ENC
On the occasion of 71 st Independence Day, a Ceremonial Parade was held at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at Naval Base parade ground on 15 August 2017. Vice Admiral HCS Bisht PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-inChief, Eastern Naval Command took the salute. Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Chief of Staff, ENC, was the Conducting Officer of the Parade. The Flag Officer Commanding-inChief was given a ceremonial salute on arrival by the Parade Commander, Commander Balachandran Mahadev Bulle of 14 Submarine Squadron. The C-in-C later inspected a 50 men Armed Guard and reviewed the platoons of Naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments, Defence Security Corps and Sea Cadet Corps. The parade concluded with singing of the National Anthem by all present after an impressive fly-past by two Chetak and two UH3H helicopters, one Dornier and two Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft. The Parade was attended by all Flag Officers, Commanding Officers of various ships and establishments at Visakhapatnam and a number of service and civilian personnel and their families. The Commander-inChief conveyed good wishes and greetings to all personnel on parade and to their families on the occasion of the 71 st Independence Day. He complemented the men on Parade for their immaculate turn-out and smart drill. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Bisht reiterated the need to be on guard always against antinational and subversive elements at work, at home as well as online. He also emphasized that the primary responsibility of everyone in ENC is to ensure that the ships, submarines and aircraft remain combat ready at all times in order to meet the mandated task of Navy of ensuring the maritime security of the nation. The Commander-in-Chief underscored the need to follow Stand Operating Procedures (SOPs) so as to ensure safety of men, material and assets. As the Eastern Naval Command and the Submarine Arm celebrate its Golden Jubilee this year, Vice Admiral Bisht highlighted important activities of Swarn Varsh Celebrations including the Naval Operational Demonstration which is scheduled on 07 December where the Hon’ble President would be invited as the Chief Guest. In a parallel event at the “Victory at Sea” War Memorial on the Beach Road this morning, Vice Admiral SR Sarma, AVSM, VSM Director General Naval Projects, Visakhapatnam placed a floral wreath and paid tributes to Martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the Nation. A two minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the Martyrs.