New Delhi, April 7. Adm R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff along with Mrs. Kala Hari Kumar, President Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA) were on farewell visit to Southern Naval Command (SNC), Kochi from April 3 – 6. During the visit, CNS interacted with the officers and sailors of SNC on ‘Connect with CNS’ forum at Sagarika auditorium, Naval Base, Kochi. The interaction was attended by personnel of SNC units including outstation units. Various contemporary issues of Operations, Training, Human Resource development, digitisation and other transformation initiatives of Indian Navy were discussed and concerns raised were addressed. In another event, the CNS interacted with the defence civilians of Kochi. He acknowledged their invaluable role as a formidable workforce supporting Indian Navy’s high tempo of operations.
A new NWWA Kendra housing office space, conference hall and welfare facilities such as class rooms, yoga/wellness rooms under one roof were inaugurated by Mrs. Kala Hari Kumar, President NWWA in the presence of CNS on April 5. Subsequently, an ECHS outreach programme named ‘SAMPARK 3.0’ was flagged off by CNS. Under this programme, a team comprising officers and sailors of NHQ and SNC will tour different polyclinics in Kerala over 8 days and interact with veterans and veernaris at remote locations.
Furthermore, the Admiral visited his alma mater, INS Dronacharya and interacted with the staff and trainees and participated in the ‘Drona Gaan’. CNS visited the Training block where he served as the Training Commander from 1997-1999.
The CNS also visited HQ Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST), where he was the 16th FOST from 2013-14. During his address, he exhorted the HQST team to remain focused on SHIPS FIRST approach and provided professional guidance.
A new married accommodation for DSC personnel named ‘Kulwant Singh’ block in the memory of LNK Kulwant Singh SM (Posthumous) was inaugurated by CNS. The building with 74 splendid dwelling units and modern amenities symbolises Indian Navy’s unwavering commitment to wellbeing of personnel.
A traditional ‘Barakhana’ on the occasion of farewell visit of CNS was organised at INS Garuda. The CNS interacted with personnel of Dakshini Nausena Kamaan Parivaar and urged them to perform their duty with courage and work together as a team safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests.
