'Rashtrapati Ki Jai': Visakhapatnam decks up for PFR, MILAN

Visakhapatnam city is making grand arrangements for the third Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) scheduled to be held on February 21.The PFR is held once during the five-year term of the President of India, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. This year, President Ram Nath Kovind and other Indian dignitaries will be attending the Fleet Review in Vizag. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar visited the Eastern Naval Command to review the operational preparedness for the PFR and MILAN, which include weapon firings and Special Forces operations. The CNS held discussions with Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of ENC on ongoing issues of the Eastern Naval Command.

PFR and its importance:

The first fleet review was held on October 19, 1953, in Mumbai which was hosted by the Western Naval Command. The then President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad had reviewed the fleet. The second PFR was hosted by Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on 13 February 2006, when Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was President. The President's Fleet Review is a ceremonial and stately inspection of the naval warships by the President of India. On the day, the sailors will stand on the deck of the illuminated ships, doff their hats to honor the Supreme Commander by raising their voices 'Rashtrapati Ki Jai'. Vizag will host nearly 50 ships from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and the Indian Merchant Marine for the President's Review. The event will be followed by a flypast by nearly 50 aircraft.

MILAN 2022:

Multilateral Naval Exercise (MILAN) will be held from Feb 26 to March 4 in Vizag and is expected to see the participation of Naval forces, and personnel, from 45 countries. President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to attend MILAN 2022. MILAN is a biennial exercise that started in 1995. The event was held at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands until 2018.

City Beautification:

Ahead of the PFR and MILAN 2022, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the district administration in coordination with the Eastern Naval Command have embarked on a mission to beautify the city. Beautification and repair works are underway from the Airport- Naval base and Beach Road. Across the beach stretch, the officials are taking up all the repairs works, coloring the medians, painting murals on the walls, and taking up plantation works.