Kochi: Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra on Saturday took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command in Kochi from Vice-Admiral Sunil Lanba, who will now head the Mumbai-based Western Naval Command.
The changeover, marked by an impressive ceremonial parade at the naval base, was followed by the traditional ‘pulling out’ ceremony in which Vice-Admiral Lanba was ceremonially pulled out in a jeep by flag officers and commanding officers of ships and other staff of naval establishments of Kochi.
In his farewell address, Vice-Admiral Lanba said the top class training being accorded to officers and staff should be used by them for becoming excellent professionals in the service of the country. Many senior officers, men and families of Southern Naval Command witnessed the parade.
Vice-Admiral Lanba will assume the charge of the FOC-in-C of Western Naval Command on January 31 on the retirement of present incumbent Vice-Admiral SPS Cheema.
Earlier in the day, Vice-Admiral Luthra laid wreath at the War Memorial as a tribute to thousands of martyrs. The flag officer, a native of Haryana, arrived in Kochi on Friday.
