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Shipwright School, a premier technical establishment and alma-mater for Naval Architect Officers, Shipwright Officers and Shipwright Sailors of the Indian Navy, was commissioned as Indian Naval Ship Vishwakarma by Admiral RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff, at a formal ceremony held today, 14 November 15 at Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, senior naval officers and dignitaries from the local administration were present on the occasion.

The event commenced with an impressive parade which was reviewed by the Chief of Naval Staff. Thereafter, Commodore Ajay Ghule, Commanding Officer (Designate) read out the Commissioning Warrant. The ceremony was solemnised by recitation of an invocation in Sanskrit.

Smt Payal Soni, wife of Vice Admiral Satish Soni, unveiled the Commissioning Plaque and named the training establishment as ‘INS Vishwakarma’. This was followed by hoisting of the Naval Ensign and playing of the National Anthem, in accordance with the time honoured customs and traditions of the Indian Navy.

While addressing the gathering Admiral Dhowan emphasised that the commissioning of INS Vishwakarma would enhance the Navy’s in-house design and maintenance capabilities. This would go a long way in transforming the Indian Navy to a designer’s and builder’s Navy in keeping with the “Make in India” vision. The Admiral also highlighted Navy’s commitment and resolve for Make in India’. He stated that today, the Indian Navy has technologically advanced warships, which have been designed in house by the Navy’s own Warship Design Organisation and constructed by several Indian shipyards. He further added that commissioning of INS Vishwakarma would enhance professionalism of young officers and sailors who would train here to become warship designers and hull maintenance technicians of the future. He also lauded the functioning of training establishments under the Southern Naval Command and the impetus Navy lays on training of its personnel. The administrative support provided by the Eastern Naval Command to the training establishment also came in for appreciation. The Admiral also emphasised that quality professional training is the bedrock on which our warships, submarines and aircraft are able to effectively carry out their onerous tasks. The Admiral also exhorted the officers and sailors, who would be passing-out from the portals of INS Vishwakarma to strive for excellence in their professional fields and take the Navy to even greater heights.

CGR/DKS