Colourful dances by schoolchildren marked the inauguration of the annual Navy Mela, which got under way at the Navy Mela Grounds, here on Thursday.
‘Mohini Attam' by students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Nausena Baugh, and Rajasthani dance by students of KV-Malkapuram caught the attention of the impressive gathering that included Navy officers and their family members, apart from civilian invitees.
Students of KV-Sri Vijaya Nagar Colony, 104 Area, presented the Shiva dance to the song from the Telugu film ‘Sri Manjunadha' and Tanusree Biswas of NAD School presented the Durga dance. The dance by children of Navy Children's School (Primary), Nausena Baugh, represented different States and cultures brought out patriotic fervour among the gathering.
The Navy Mela provides a unique opportunity to the general public to take a peep into the life at sea, underwater technologies, weapons and the activities undertaken by the various units of the Navy in the city.
The stall put by the Naval Armament Depot (NAD) depicted torpedoes, missile shell, guns, ground mines, missiles in various sizes was impressive. Working models of a submarine destroying an enemy ship with a torpedo and destruction of an enemy ship with a mine make it easy for the layman to understand their functioning.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder, sono buoys and turbines were displayed at the stall put up by INS Dega, the Naval Air Station. Live display of submarine operations and functioning of dry dock can be seen at the huge models put up by the Naval Dockyard. There are three chambers in the Dockyard – Varuna and Surya (open docks) and Matsya (covered) – for the repair of Naval ships and submarines. “The Varuna Dock is the biggest in Asia,” said an employee of the yard who was present at the stall. Chinese missiles, ship-launched trajectory and a rocket engine were displayed at INS Kalinga. Apart from Naval establishments, stalls have also been put up by MNC s, financial institutions, IT firms, electronic and consumer durable dealers. There are also a host of rides, games and performances by professional entertainment groups.
Earlier, Rear Admiral P. Murugesan, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, inaugurated the mela.
Ships open to visitors
Three major ships of the Eastern Fleet will be open to visits by organised groups of school on November 26 and to the general public on November 27 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The naval officials have advised the public not to carry hand bags, camera, tape recorders and camera phones and other electronic goods as they will not be allowed inside the Naval Dockyard due to security reasons. The entry to ships will be from the Pallava Gate, which is located near Pipeline Junction near INS Satavahana.
