INS Chennai a recognition for state’s sea tradition

The dedication ceremony of the ‘P15A Guided Missile Destroyer’ was marked by a series of drills and events, besides unveiling of a plaque by Palanisami at the Chennai Port Trust here. 

Speaking at the function, Palanisamy said it was a proud moment to dedicate this Naval warship to Chennai. “This gives an apt recognition to the rich history and sea bearing tradition of this state,” the Chief Minister said. 

Recalling that the Pallavas, Cheras and Chola dynasties have maintained navies and have carried extensive maritime activities, Palanisami, while thanking the Navy and the armed forces for their services to the Nation, also assured continuous cooperation from the state government to the armed forces. 

Speaking after the dedication ceremony, he said the fishermen of Tamil Nadu must be protected so that they could peacefully carry out their traditional occupation. Referring to the frequent and recurring attacks and arrests of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on the high seas, Palanisami said “their rights in the region must be safeguarded.” 

Welcoming the gathering, INS Chen nai Commanding Officer C R Praveen Nair said this was the first ship named after the Chennai city. 

Vice Admiral HCS Bisht said that plans were afoot to make Chennai a hub of Naval activities in future on the part of eastern naval fleet and requested the state government for speedy approval of their requirements. The Tamil Nadu Government has been rendering praiseworthy cooperation already, he said and added that the Navy was fully geared to meet the challenges at sea.

A group of 50 people protested outside INS Adyar, where INS Chennai, a state-of-the-art destroyer class warship was being docked, during its maiden visit to the city it was named after. 

The protesters said they were not being allowed to see the warship, despite being told that it was open to public till April 18. Padmanabhan, a protestor from the city, said they have been trying to get a glimpse of the warship for the last two days. “We saw on television that the ship was open for public till April 18. We have been visiting the Port, but were not allowed to enter it,” said the youngster. 

For Dasarathan, a resident of Vellore, his hopes of showing his seven-year-old daughter Varsha, the warship named after the city, were dashed. “We have come all the way from Vellore, leaving our work. All because we wanted to show our children this ship. It is not every day that such an opportunity presents itself and we want to be a part of this historic occasion,” he said, dejectedly.