Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120457680600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli

Navy Day fete on December 5, 6, 7

Staff Reporter

— FILE Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

ON SHOW: Helobatics under way at Palayamkottai during the Navy Week celebrations last year.

TIRUNELVELI: Buoyed by the overwhelming response from the public last year, the INS Kattabomman, a premier and unique onshore installation for low frequency communication between the ships and submarines of the Indian Navy, has decided to conduct the main events of its Navy Day celebrations from December 5 to 7 at its Receiving Station near Government College of Engineering, Palayamkottai.

According to Lt. Com. I. Ivin Sam and Lt. V. Vinoth Kumar of INS Kattabomman, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tirunelveli Range, P. Kannappan will inaugurate the 3-day events at the Receiving Station at 5.30 p.m. on December 5. Ten of the 60 stalls to be installed at the venue as part of the celebration will tell the youths aspiring to join about Indian Navy, have models of warships and submarines and explain the community activities of the Naval Wives Welfare Association.

Helobatics by naval anti-submarine helicopters at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on December 6 and 7 will be a major attraction.

A grand firework by Standard Fireworks, Sivakasi, on December 7 at 7 p.m. at this venue is expected to pull thousands of people from Tirunelveli, Palayamkottai and the suburbs.Games stalls and the booths of the private companies will be an additional attraction. The public will be allowed to visit the stalls between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on December 6 and 7 and from 6 p.m. onwards on the first day.

They said security arrangements had been beefed up at INS Kattabomman in the wake of recent terrorist attacks on Mumbai.