The Indian Navy will host a series of public and ceremonial events at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi from November 6 to January 10, including a waterfront demonstration, ship visits, exhibitions, a drone show and community activities. The programme is being organised under the theme “Indian Navy ready for maritime security for a developed and prosperous India.”
The main public attraction will be an operational demonstration scheduled for the evening of December 3 in the backwaters near Ernakulam Wharf. Ships, aircraft, drills and a special drone show will be part of the programme, according to N. Hariharan, Commanding Officer of INS Venduruthy, who announced the schedule at a press conference.
The Navy Day observance is held on December 4 to commemorate the Indian Navy’s missile attack on Karachi port during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. In Kochi, the December 4 programme will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial and a Navy band performance at Sagarika.
Several activities will allow members of the public to engage with the naval base and related exhibitions. Senior citizens and children with special needs will be allowed to visit ships on November 16. A naval and military photography exhibition will be held at Forum Mall from November 20 to 22.
School students will be permitted to enter ships and view exhibitions on November 23. The schedule also includes a Navy run on December 13 and a Navy cycle ride on January 10. Students and senior citizens will be permitted to enter the naval base on specified dates as part of the celebrations.
People interested in participating or seeking access information have been asked to contact prodefkochi@gmail.com. The Navy has not provided further public instructions in the announcement on registration limits, entry timings or transport arrangements for the waterfront demonstration.
The programme will begin with activities at the Southern Naval Command on November 6 and continue through the Navy cycle ride scheduled for January 10. The December 3 demonstration near Ernakulam Wharf and the December 4 ceremonial events are the principal dates in the published schedule.
