Kolkata,The alacrity by which Indian warships are ready for operations at a
short notice was demonstrated by the quick turnaround of the two visiting
warships - INS Khukri and INS Sumitra - that had just berthed at Kidderpore yesterday,
amply showcasing Indian Navy's prompt readiness as the two warships are set to
sail out within hours of a recall to the sea for undisclosed 'operational
reasons' on orders by Eastern Naval Command HQ, today.
The warships were scheduled to berth here till Friday, enabling public
visit to the ships on Wednesday and Thursday. Their arrival here was a prelude
to the Navy Week celebrations that generally include such public visits to
naval ships wherever possible. Navy Day is commemorated on December 4.
Although their recall may sound a bit of a dampener to some, especially
students of various schools and colleges, the recall of the warships does not
in any way prejudice their chances of return here on a later date again.
A group of around 60 street children including orphans were among those lucky
few to visit the ships before their recall today. The visit of the children
from the NGOs, 'Magic Bus India Foundation' and 'Purbanchal Udayan Sangha' was
arranged by the local unit of Naval Wives Welfare Association (NWWA). Fresh dates, as and when approved, subject yet again to operational
commitments and service exigencies, will be publicised ahead of their schedule.
The Naval Officer-in-Charge, West Bengal, meanwhile, has lined up a
string of other events beginning Sunday next, to embrace the celebratory spirit
of the Navy Week that spans usually the month preceding and following the Navy
Day, commemorated on December 4, each year.
Besides a performance by the Naval Symphonic Band Concert at the Lascar
Memorial site at Hastings on November 7, concerts will also be held at the ICCR
auditorium, Tollygunge Club and Prinsep Ghat on subsequent dates at these
venues. While a free medical camp was held at Sagar Island last Friday, another
camp is slated at Kulpi next Friday. Meanwhile, NWWA members have visits
planned to other institutions including a blind school and an old age home,
with voluntary donations from service personnel and their families.
A film show for some 'special children' to be picked up from their respective
schools and dropped back is also planned at Fort William later this month. Painting
competitions for children have also been planned in different schools during
the same period to create more awareness on Indian Navy.
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