Navy reaches out to meet over 1,200 widows of naval personnel

KOCHI: Navy bikers will reach out to widows of personnel of the force across Kerala to express the message of solidarity during a month-long campaign which began today.

The expedition was flagged off by Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Command at the Naval Base here.

It is aimed at re-emphasizing the commitment of the Navy towards the families of the brethren who have passed away after rendering yeoman service to the nation.

Centre for leadership and behavioral studies (CLABS) and the School for Naval Airmen (SFNA) consisting of 54 personnel from Kochi and 14 from INA, Ezhimala are coordinating the expedition which will meet the 1,267 Naval widows in Kerala and return on December 2 after covering more than 2500 kms, Naval officials said.

The personnel on 24 bikes flagged off from Naval Base here would cover the south and central parts of Kerala, while the six bikes from INA, Ezhimala would cover the northern parts.

The bikers intend to convey the message of solidarity to all the widows and seek to address their concerns in whichever way possible.

"It is our obligation to take care of our shipmates families who are no more and it is because of their efforts that the Navy today is trusted to carry out all its roles in the maritime domain," Vice Admiral Cheema said on the occasion.

He underscored the fact that "Today's Navy owes everything to Yesterday's Navy for which it should salute all the Veeranganas." He urged the expedition team to win the hearts of the families being visited.

The Admiral also presented gifts and souvenirs to the Naval "Veeranganas", who attended the function.

The Flag-Off ceremony was attended by senior serving and retired officers and men of the Navy as well as some Naval widows. The expedition being conducted by the Southern command in partnership with Bajaj Auto.