Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) visited Nagaland. 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 Neiphiu Rio, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, and attended the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village Kisama (121 km from Kohima), as the Chief Guest, and also interacted with the 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 program 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, over 4,500 visitors visited the stall. The State govt, 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 are being screened. Virtual Reality headsets are also available which provided the viewer with a life-like experience and a 3600 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 Govt officials of Nagaland Industry and Commerce.
Some interesting products exhibited at the venue are innovative solutions for Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. In addition, an Indigenization desk to interact with Industry/ Startups has been set up. The Indian Navy Band, which performed at the festival, also gained immense popularity.
Indian Naval Officers Visits Schools and Interacted with Ex-Servicemen
Motivational lectures on ‘Career in the Indian Navy’ were organized for approx. 1300 schoolchildren 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 in Kohima.
Indian Navy Medical Camp
Indian Navy organized a multi-specialty medical and wellness camp at a remotely located district of Niuland in Nagaland, 35 Km from Dimapur. Surg RAdm Ravinderajeet Singh, Additional Director General Medical Services (Navy) and Sara S Jamir, District Commissioner of Niuland, inaugurated the camp. 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 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 comprises 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 a distance of 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 the Indian Navy & Armed Forces. The Riders also interacted with the Ex-servicemen and the local population at all these places. Royal Enfield who have provided 15 Meteor 350 Royal Enfield Motorcycles, along with service support, supports the Indian Navy expedition. Eight ESMs have also joined the Indian Navy Motorcycle Expedition Team.
