Mumbai: Politicians took a break from their hectic engagements to spend a day in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday. Led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, 70 leaders from across the party lines spent nearly six hours on board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
The delegation, comprising Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, Council chairman, Haribhau Bagade, Assembly Speaker, MLAs, MLCs, and senior officials, were shown the prowess of the Navy’s frontline warships when INS Chennai , INS Kolkata , INS Trishul, and INS Teg participated in exercises.
An operational demonstration was also conducted for the political visitors, a first for most of them. Defence public relations officer Mehul Karnik said the exercises and demonstrations also included a submarine demo by the recently-commissioned INS Kalvari and missile demo by INS Vidyut .
“In addition, a search and rescue demo by SAR helicopters provided a clear insight into the complexities of rescue operations at sea. Ship-borne anti-submarine warfare aircraft Seaking, airborne early warning Kamov helicopters, and carrier-borne fighter aircraft MiG 29K also took part in an air power demo,” he said.
The delegation was hosted by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. They were given a tour of the operational facilities, and they interacted with the company of INS Vikramaditya over lunch.
Addressing the crew of the aircraft carrier, the CM congratulated the Navy for its gallant services to the nation. He appreciated the armed forces’ role in safeguarding the territorial, maritime, and economic interests of the country.
While the day at sea started at 10.30 a.m. and ended at 7 p.m., with the visitors taking a ferry to Mumbai, Mr. Fadnavis, given his other engagements, was flown to the city in a Naval helicopter at 4.30 p.m.
Mr. Fadnavis said, “The Prime Minister had, in an interaction with naval officers, expressed a desire to show a coastal security operation demonstration and other activities of the Navy to public representatives from coastal states. It was amazing to see and know our navy’s evolution.”
