Schoolchildren got an opportunity to clarify their doubts during their ‘day at sea’ on the amphibious warship INS Jalashwa by interacting with naval officials.
During the exercise, the students got an insight into the functioning of Navy and their role in serving the nation. Rear Admiral P. Murugesan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and other officials explained to them on how men-in-white work in various ways.
They were told about many tasks being undertaken by the Navy – in providing protection in carrying out trade and commerce, sending humanitarian help neighbouring countries at the time of distress and saving the merchant vessels in Gulf of Aden from threat of hijacking by pirates.
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The event started with prize distribution to the children winning Navy Week Painting Competition `Pratibimb.’ The top five entrants in each category were felicitated in the presence of their parents.
Winning entries
The winning entries were that of V. Abhishek, A. Sowmika and Ch. Krishna Kumar in the sub-junior, junior and senior categories respectively. DAV Public School of Anakapalle was adjudged the best and retained the rolling trophy. In the special children and hearing challenged children categories, Dheeraj Singh Jadav and P. Manikantha Swamy secured the first position.
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“The main purpose of the day at sea was to provide an opportunity to the schoolchildren a glimpse of what Navy does.
Ninety per cent of export and import is done by ships and Navy’s role is increasing manifold,” Read Admiral Murugesan said.
He said when tsunami left a trail of devastation, the Navy rushed several ships to Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia to render humanitarian help.
This measure of the Navy was appreciated worldwide, he stated.
The Rear Admiral said for quick response, they had acquired two fast attack crafts and six more would be acquired for stationing at various strategic places in next few months.