Visakhapatnam: The IFR-2016 which has elements of pomp, pageantry, action, drill and spectacle, will also have a unique intellectual dimension to it, with the two-day Maritime Conference providing a platform for discussion on contemporary maritime issues.
Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar will inaugurate the conference on Sunday. The conference will see a gathering of some of the best and brightest minds in the business of maritime and security studies confabulate on issues of maritime salience to the world.
Premised on the theme “Partnering Together for a Secure Maritime Future”, the conference will be conducted on Sunday and Monday. Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral R.K. Dhowan will deliver the theme address setting the tone for the proceedings that follow. The previous Navy Chief and presently the chairman of the National Maritime Foundation, Admiral D.K. Joshi (Retd), will also be among the speakers at the inaugural session.
ENC commander in chief Vice Admiral Satish Soni will deliver the valedictory address on Monday. The gathering will witness nine eminent speakers from abroad and two from India taking part in it.
And addressing different aspects of the theme. The conference is also likely to be attended by a glittering galaxy of high government officials including the union minister of state for defence, Rao Inderjit Singh, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval, Deputy NSA Dr Arvind Gupta, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha Chief of Air Staff, General Dalbir Singh Suhag Chief of the Army Staff, Chiefs of Navies and Senior Officials from among the 53 participating nations, serving and retired Naval, Army and Air Force officers and also the academia from the city.
President releases commemorative postal stamp
President of India Pranab Mukherjee released the commemorative postal stamp of IFR, First Day Cover and Information Brochure prepared by the postal department on Saturday evening.
These stamps, First Day Covers and Brochures were available at IFR Village. He also released a booklet in commemoration of past Presidents’ Fleet Reviews titled “Aikya”. This booklet contains write ups, charts, photographs and printouts of stamps brought out on the occasion of past President Fleet Reviews. This is a very limited collection available for sale from Feb 7at AU grounds and at Philatelic Bureau, Visakhapatnam Head Post office, Vellampet.
