Team Herald
VASCO: Stating that the Indian Navy has received good support from all stakeholders in Goa, the Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area Rear Admiral Puneet K Bahl on Monday assured that coast will be well-protected against any undesirable intrusions from the sea.
He was addressing the gathering on the occasion of 46th Navy Day celebration held at the Navy House at Headquarters, Goa Naval Area on Monday. Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha was the Chief Guest for the event. Minister for Water Resources and Fisheries Vinod Paliencar, Minister for Panchayat Mauvin Godinho, Judge of High Court of Bombay at Goa Prithviraj K Chavan, besides former Chiefs of Naval Staff Adm Arun Prakash (retd) and Adm Sureesh Mehta (retd) along with a large gathering of retired and serving senior naval officers and civilian dignitaries attended the event.
“With the responsibility of coastal security, ordained upon the Indian navy after 26/11 attack, the navy has harmonised numerous joint efforts and operations between central and state run services. This is, indeed a mammoth task, since one has to identify the odd one from amongst our own people, as against the known enemy one faces in the traditional battlefield. I am happy to state that in Goa, the navy has received good support in this effort, making the coordination easier and more effective,” he said, adding that a lot of ground had been covered by navy, coast guard and all stakeholders including captain of port, fisheries and MPT.
Commenting about piracy operations, he said that the Indian Navy has been making crucial contribution in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.
“During deployments 43 piracy attempts have been thwarted. Some incidents of piracy have recently been reported off Somalia, however due to substantial naval deployments, since 2012 there have been no incidents of piracy in the east Arabian Sea. We in the Navy will continue to do all we can to ensure that our seafarers keep working without any worry and return home safely,” he stressed.
He also claimed that as part of ‘Make in India’ initiative of Government of India, all 34 ships and submarines presently on order are being constructed in various shipyards of India and said apart from operational commitments Navy in Goa also undertake many outreach programmes, in order to bond and connect with fellow countrymen.
The highlights of celebration was, a fly-past by Naval aircraft, search and rescue demo, high speed run by Interceptor Crafts and beating the retreat ceremony.
On the occasion the Governor released the Navy Day brochure. The event culminated with a grand Sunset Ceremony with an impressive illumination of Naval ships at anchorage.
