Latest news with #Pendharkar


New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Operation Sindoor: ENC fleet deployed on Western Seaboard
VISAKHAPATNAM: 'Our ships, aircraft and personnel were deployed for Operation Sindoor on the Western Seaboard and maintained an aggressive, ready-to-strike posture at sea,' said Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (C-in-C), Eastern Naval Command (ENC), while addressing personnel at the 79th Independence Day parade at the Command Parade Ground in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Commemorating the occasion, Vice Admiral Pendharkar outlined the Eastern Fleet's contributions over the past year. 'Our front-line units have carried out successful mission-based deployments far and wide, in all three dimensions. Our ships and submarines have maintained constant vigil in the Command's Area of Responsibility. During the past year, the footprint of our presence extended from the East Coast of Africa up to the Western Pacific, with regular deployments in the South China Sea, and the Central as well as the Southern Indian Ocean. During these distant deployments, our personnel interacted with many foreign navies and participated in bilateral as well as multilateral exercises,' he stated. The C-in-C inspected a 50-man Guard of Honour and took the salute as contingents from the Indian Navy, Defence Security Corps, National Cadet Corps, and Sea Cadet Corps marched in precision. The parade was attended by Flag Officers, officers, sailors, veterans, and families from various naval establishments. Vice Admiral Pendharkar emphasised the Navy's role in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. 'Alongside our operational evolution, the Navy has been at the forefront of Aatmanirbharta, self-reliance in defence. Today, more than 60 of our warships and submarines are under construction in Indian shipyards, a testament to indigenous design, engineering, and innovation,' he said.


Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Vizag to host IFR & Milan 2026, says ENC chief at I-Day parade
Visakhapatnam: The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) celebrated the 79th Independence Day with a ceremonial parade at the Command Parade Ground on Friday, radiating pride, tradition, and patriotic fervour. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC, inspected a 50-man Guard of Honour and took the salute as contingents from the Indian Navy, Defence Security Corps (DSC), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) marched in unison, showcasing discipline and unity. The event was attended by officers, sailors, veterans, and families from across naval establishments, reflecting the enduring camaraderie between serving personnel and retired veterans. In his address, Vice Admiral Pendharkar praised the parade's precision and extended greetings to all naval and DSC personnel, veterans, and their families. He highlighted the Navy's role in Aatmanirbhar Bharat, citing recent milestones including the commissioning of indigenous ships. He announced the upcoming commissioning of frigates INS Udaigiri and INS Himgiri on August 26, 2025, and confirmed that Visakhapatnam will host the International Fleet Review (IFR) and MILAN 2026 in February next year. ENC previously hosted IFR-2016, where 50 countries participated and President Pranab Mukherjee reviewed the fleet aboard INS Sumitra. The city also hosted MILAN-2024, a global maritime exercise fostering cooperation and security on the high seas. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !


Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Patriotic fervour marks 79th Independence Day parade at Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam
: The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy celebrated the 79th Independence Day with a grand ceremonial parade at the Command Parade Ground in Visakhapatnam on Friday, filling the morning with pride, tradition, and patriotic spirit. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC, inspected a 50-man Guard of Honour and took the salute as naval contingents marched with precision. The parade featured personnel from the Indian Navy, Defence Security Corps (DSC), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), symbolising unity and dedication in service to the nation. The event was attended by Flag Officers, officers, and sailors from various ships, submarines, and establishments, along with veterans and their families, reflecting the strong bond between serving personnel and those who have proudly worn the uniform before them. Addressing the gathering, Vice Admiral Pendharkar praised the men and women on parade for their immaculate drill movements and excellent turnout. He extended greetings to all naval and DSC personnel, veterans, and their families on the occasion, and highlighted the Indian Navy's role at the forefront of the initiative. Speaking on recent achievements, he mentioned the commissioning of several indigenous ships in recent years and announced the upcoming commissioning of frigates Udaigiri and Himgiri on 26 August 2025 in Visakhapatnam. He also said the Indian Navy is preparing for the International Fleet Review and Milan 2026, both scheduled to be hosted in the city in February 2026.


The Hindu
09-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
18 Navy officers complete helicopter pilot training
As many as 18 Indian Navy officers, including one woman, graduated as pilots from the Helicopter Training School at INS Rajali in Arakkonam on Monday. Sub-Lieutenant Siddhi Hemant Dubey became the second woman helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy. According to a press release, the graduating officers were presented the coveted 'Golden Wings', an award that marks them as helicopter pilots. The awards were given by Vice-Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. They took part in a passing out parade, marking the successful completion of their 22-week intensive flying and ground training at the school in the Indian Naval Air Squadron-561. Vice-Admiral Pendharkar said a naval pilot's skill was tested at sea and in the sky. Handling this required a deep commitment, he added. He told the graduating pilots that they should wear the 'Golden Wings', not as decoration but as a proof of discipline, focus, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. 'The wings represent the Navy's faith in its pilots, and a sign that they are now a part of a rich naval legacy,' Vice-Admiral Pendharkar said.


Time of India
09-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
18 naval officers graduate as pilots from Helicopter Training School at INS Rajali
Eighteen Indian Navy officers, including a woman, graduated as pilots from the Helicopter Training School at INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu on Monday. They took part in an impressive Passing Out Parade marking the successful completion of their 22-week long intensive flying and ground training at the training school in the Indian Naval Air Squadron-561, a defence release said. "Underscoring the Indian Navy's commitment to foster gender inclusive environment and equal career opportunities for women, Sub Lieutenant Siddhi Hemant Dubey created history by becoming the second woman helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy today, on successful completion of the training," it said. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. The graduating officers were given the coveted 'golden wings', the awards that mark them as the helicopter pilots. The awards were given by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar , Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command . Live Events The new pilots will now be deployed through frontline units of the Indian Navy, undertaking vital roles in reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue and antipiracy operations, it said. The release quoted Vice Admiral Pendharkar as saying in his address that the parade marked not only the successful culmination of a rigorous course, but a day when a fresh batch of young and enthusiastic pilots passed through the portals of the school. He noted that the new helicopter pilots have learned not just how to fly, but how to fly with purpose, it said. Pendharkar said Indian naval aviation has always stood for professionalism, precision, and pride.