Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra took over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command at a ceremonial parade held at the Naval Base here on Monday morning.
He inspected the ceremonial guard and reviewed platoons of Naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishment of the ENC. The parade was commanded by Commander Aasheesh Khanna, Executive Officer, INS Jalashwa , and comprised 24 platoons. Flag Officers, Commanding Officers, a large number of officers, sailors and their families witnessed the parade.
Centrestage
The Eastern Seaboard has grown in prominence over the years, as is witnessed by the enhanced interaction with India's immediate regional neighbours such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and other states of South East Asia. Commissioning of new Landing Ship Tanks (LST-Large), FACs, Air Squadrons, Air Stations, and launch of the first indigenous strategic submarine at Visakhapatnam have all firmly placed the ENC on the centrestage, in consonance with the Look-East Policy of the country. Vice-Admiral Chopra takes over the prestigious Command from Vice-Admiral Anup Singh who retired on the day.
Vice-Admiral Chopra was associated with ENC earlier, in the capacity of the Chief of Staff here. It was during his tenure in February 2006 that Visakhapatnam was host to the prestigious President's Fleet Review, a maiden venture on the Eastern Seaboard and a feather in the cap for the Command as well as the city.
Vice-Admiral Anup Singh was given a fond farewell on the occasion following his retirement from service after a career spanning over 38 years. During his tenure, a number of new acquisitions and infrastructural development took place which added to the three dimensional capability of the Navy, according to an ENC spokesman.
Fast Attack Craft INS Cora Divh, Cheriyam, Kondul, Cankarso and Koswari adding teeth to the Coastal Security set up, Stealth Frigate INS Shivalik and Tanker INS Shakti enhancing the fighting prowess and reach of the Eastern Fleet, were some of the defining moments of the preceding 26 months under his stewardship, he said.
