Southern States - Kerala

Ezhimala academy a unique institution, says Fernandes

By Our Correspondent

KARWAR APRIL 8. The Union Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said here on Sunday that the Naval Academy being set up at Ezhimala, near Kannur, would be a unique institution of excellence imparting training to the Navy personnel not only of India but of other countries also. He told mediapersons that it would be completed in three years time and that the location of the academy was very beautiful and the British had set up a lighthouse there.

About 500 persons could be trained in the academy at a time. He said there was no dearth of money for any defence project. On the Pakistan President, General Musharaf's threat of using nuclear option against India, the Defence Minister described the statement as childish and a measure of desperation. ``I hope it was childish and not desperation,'' he said and wondered whether Mr. Musharaf was aware of its implication on Pakistan. On his Russia visit on April 10, he said it was to hold regular dialogue on mutual security concern.

He said India was looking at acquisition of spare parts for Russian made aircraft being used in the armed forces. Mr. Fernandes said Russia had gifted an aircraft carrier to India.

Indian Navy had studied its technical aspects, however, price negotiations were yet to start. He admitted that defence related activities had a set back following the Tehalka episode.

He said about Rs. 5,000 crores could not be utilised last year since the department officials hesitated to take decisions on its utilisation.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Law to tame headload workers
• Move on for inter-religion talks
• Railways to celebrate anniversary in a big way
• Cabinet will discuss Church row: CM
• Irregularities detected in TDB accounts for 'Satakoti archana'
• Ezhimala academy a unique institution, says Fernandes
• Study finds cost of production not so high in Kerala
• Sabarimala shrine opens tomorrow
• Sudheeran's stand pricks many a conscience

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu