Chief of the Naval Staff, Adm. R. Hari Kumar Visits Nagaland
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral R Hari Kumar visited Nagaland on 7 December 2022. This visit coincides with the ongoing activities being undertaken by the Indian Navy as part of the outreach in the North East. During the visit the CNS called on the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio and attended the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama (121 km from Kohima), as the Chief Guest, and also interacted with naval veterans.
The CNS also flagged-in the 3500km Indian Navy Motorcycle Expedition at the Hornbill Festival. During his visit to Nagaland CNS met Maj Gen Vikas Lakhera IG AR North and interacted with personnel in HQ IGAR North.
Indian Navy’s maiden participation at the Hornbill Festival
As part of the Indian Navy’s Outreach programme in the North East a large stall has been set up at the Hornbill Festival. The focus of the stall is to provide local youth with information about the Indian Navy, its contribution to national security and the various opportunities for employment as officers and sailors.
In the first five days of the festival, the stall has been visited by over 4,500 visitors. The State government, the Chief Secretary, Commissioner Industry and Commerce and several State govt officials too visited the stall. A part of the stall was converted into an Audio Visual Room where movies highlighting the Indian Navy were being screened.
Virtual Reality headsets are also available which provided the viewer with a life-like experience and a 360-degree view of being on a ship (INS Kolkata) and an aircraft carrier (INS Vikramaditya). These sets were a great hit with the visitors. IN delegation interacted with the Nagaland Startups and government officials of Nagaland Industry and Commerce on December 2.
Some interesting products exhibited at the venue were ‘innovative solutions’ for Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. In addition, an Indigenisation desk to interact with Industry/Startups has been set up. The Indian Navy Band which performed at the festival, also gained immense popularity.
Visit to schools by Indian Naval Officers and Interaction with Ex-Servicemen
Motivational lectures on ‘Career in the Indian Navy’ were organised for approximately 1300 school children in association with the State Education Department at Dimapur and Kohima. The schools visited were GHSS Dimapur, GHSS Purana Bazar and Pranab Vidyapith HSS in Dimapur and Ruzhukhrie GHSS and Thenocha Memorial GHSS in Kohima. Meetings with the ESMs were also held on 15 and 16 November 2022 in Kohima Indian Navy Medical Camp.
Indian Navy organised a multi-specialty medical and wellness camp at a remotely located district of Niuland in Nagaland, 35 km from Dimapur on 29 and 30 November 2022.
The camp was inaugurated by Additional Director General Medical Services (Navy), Surg RAdm. Ravinderajeet Singh and District Commissioner of Niuland, Sara S Jamir. The multi-specialty camp offered consultation to over 700 residents by Medical Specialist, Gynaecologist, Paediatrician, ENT Specialist, Ophthalmologist, Radiologist, Community Medicine and Dental Specialist. The medicines prescribed by the Specialists were distributed free of cost to the patients.
Indian Navy Motorcycle Expedition
Indian Navy Motorcycle Expedition was virtually flagged off from Guwahati on November 25 by the Chief of the Naval Staff, to coincide with Lachit Divas, the 400th birth anniversary of the famous Commander-in-Chief (Borphukan) of Ahom Kingdom. The team comprised of 31 naval personnel including 02 women officers, spread over two phases covering a total distance of 3500 km in 21 days. During Phase I, the riders covered 2000 km, visiting, and interacting with students at schools in Guwahati, Sohra, Aizawl, Kolasib, Loktak & Imphal. The interaction with students provided the boost & motivation to young students to join Indian Navy & Armed Forces. The Riders also interacted with the ExServicemen and local population at all these places. The Indian Navy expedition is supported by Royal Enfield who have provided 15 Meteor 350 Royal Enfield Motorcycles, along with service support. Eight ESMs have also joined the Indian Navy Motorcycle Expedition Team.
The Motorcycle Expedition was flagged in by Adm. R Hari Kumar, CNS at Hornbill festival on December 7.