Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), along with Mrs Kala Hari Kumar, President Naval Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA), arrived Visakhapatnam on a two-day visit to Eastern Naval Command on 10 October 2023. On arrival, Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, FOC-in-C, ENC interacted with the CNS, and briefed him on the progress of ongoing major operational issues and projects in the Command. During the visit, the CNS addressed the Station Commanders’ Workshop being held for the first time at Visakhapatnam and participated in various other engagements.

Station Commanders Workshop

The 2nd edition of the Station Commanders’ Workshop (SCW 23/2), an assembly of the Station Commanders across the Navy who provide administrative and functional support to Operational units, was held at Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam from 09 – 11 Oct 23. The three-day Workshop was attended by more than 100 delegates representing all naval stations, as well as officers from Naval Headquarters (NHQ) and Command Headquarters. The workshop was also attended by the Commanding Officers of various Naval Hospital, officers from Naval Armament Inspection (NAI) Units, Naval Liaison Cells (NLC) and the Material Organisations (MOs). The Key Focus Areas steered by the NHQ for SCW 23/2 were Creation of Infrastructure (Works) by Directorate of Works, Administration of Schools by Directorate of Naval Education, Medical Facilities by DGMS(N) and Civilian Administration by Directorate of Civilian Personnel. In addition, a primer on Gati Shakti by Directorate of Logistics was also conducted.

Mrs Kala Hari Kumar, President NWWA, conducted an information session on NWWA which was attended by the Station Commanders, Unit heads of MOs, NLCs, NAIs and NWWA members. She familiarized them with recent initiatives undertaken by NWWA, for the benefit of the naval community, and emphasized the role of leadership in ensuring community welfare. She also updated them about the upcoming G20ThINQ event in November at Mumbai and Delhi.

INS Kora – 25th Anniversary

During his visit to the Eastern Fleet, Admiral R Hari Kumar participated in 25th anniversary celebrations of INS Kora and interacted with the ships’ company of Eastern Fleet ships and also attended the traditional Barakhana. This event was of particular significance as both the CNS and the C-in-C, are the former Commanding Officers of INS Kora.

World Mental Health Day

On the occasion of Mental Health Day on 10th October, the CNS addressed the Naval community and Defence Civilians, emphasising upon the importance and benefits of maintaining sound mental health. The address was relayed online across all naval stations.

Interactions & Inaugurations

The CNS inaugurated a state-of-the-art Emergency Diesel Generator Facility at Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam. This facility is capable of providing 7.5 MW of emergency power backup to all ships, submarines, industrial centres at Naval Dockyard, and critical consumers in Naval Base during natural calamities or prolonged shutdown of the Grid. He also interacted with the Defence Civilian workforce at Naval Dockyard. During his visit to INS Eksila, CNS was apprised on the ‘AatmaNirbharta’ initiatives of the Indian Navy in maintenance, overhaul and spare management of Gas Turbine Generators of Indian Naval Ships.

The CNS interacted with officers, sailors, and DSC Jawans and also inaugurated a Defence Civilian Accommodation block with 16 Dwelling Units at Pallava Park and an Officers’ Transit Accommodation block with 36 Dwelling Units at Visakhapatnam. These newly constructed Dwelling Units equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, aligning with the “Key on Arrival” concept, would significantly improve morale among naval personnel by mitigating the shortfalls in the availability of Married Accommodation.