Ahoy, Hello, Namaste,” the theme song for the International Fleet Review (IFR), has set the tone for the biggest-ever review to be hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam in February next year. More than 100 warships from 50 countries, including India, will take part in the gala event and President Pranab Mukherjee will take salute. The last review, the Fleet Review, held in 2011 witnessed participation of 80 ships.
Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the other dignitaries to take part in the forthcoming five-day extravaganza starting February 4. Modi will also witness an operational demonstration by the Indian Navy fleet including aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, nuclear-powered submarine INS Chakra and P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft besides others on February 7.
The elite Marine Commandos, popularly known as Marcos, will also showcase their special skills like boarding a hostile ship in high seas to neutralise terrorists and hostage rescue drills. Incidentally, the Marine Commandos had taken part in operations against terrorists in the Mumbai attacks in 2008. They have also been deployed for anti-terrorist operations in Jammu & Kashmir for the last few years.
While foreign navies are in the process of conveying their confirmation to the host, the Indian contingent will also include the latest fast patrol boats of the Coast Guard. The Shipping Corporation of India will also send its merchant ships for the display, officials said here on Saturday.
Elaborating on foreign participation, they said it will be in three forms. Navy chiefs may take part along with their ships and delegations or only a ship may represent a country.
Expecting more than 50 countries for the event, officials said one of the highlights would be the town parade wherein naval contingents of all participating countries would march through Visakhapatnam on February 7. The main objective of the town parade is to lend a festive atmosphere to the programme and foster friendship between citizens and foreign sailors.Moreover, symphonic band concerts by some of the participating navies will belt out foot-tapping music for the men in uniform and people of the port city. Multi-cultural performances and entertainment programmes are among the other events that will make the IFR a memorable mega show, they said.
Evenings on the beach on all the five days will be spectacular as people thronging RK Beach will be able to see fully-illuminated 100 warships anchored off the shore in one line. During the day, these ships will sport colourful buntings and the President will sail past them in the presidential yacht taking the salute on February 6. A fly-past by the aerial wing of the Navy to honour the Supreme Commander is also part of the itinerary.
Explaining the idea behind the theme song, they said the welcoming lines open with ‘Ahoy’, the traditional call used by sailors to hail and attract attention. ‘Hello’ and ‘Namaste’ follow, to complete the triad of the song’s exhilarating refrain.
The song has bilingual lyrics, in English and Hindi, to celebrate India’s national pride with its enduring universal outlook.
The IFR theme, ‘United through Oceans’ is resplendent through the song, enunciated by affirmation of friendship among participating navies. The elements and characteristics that challenge sailors and mariners all over the world are punctuated in the lyrics. The breathtaking cinematography in the video version of the song captures its lyrical essence, showcasing naval operations in its multiple dimensions and also vagaries of the seagoing profession. The composition lyrics were put together by the Navy and the music director of the peppy song is Vinod while the singers are Sameer and Abhiruchi.
As regards the history of fleet review, officials said it is an assembly of ships at a designated place for the purpose of paying respects to the sovereign of a nation and to display their commitment to him or her. In turn, by reviewing the ships, the sovereign reaffirms his or her faith in the fleet and its ability to defend the nation’s maritime interests.
The earliest recorded Indian Fleet Review was in the 18th century by the powerful Maratha fleet led by renowned “Sarkhel (Grand Admiral)” Kanhoji Angre at the coastal fortress of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. In Britain, a Fleet Review was a precursor to setting sail for war or was conducted on special occasions like the coronation of a monarch.
Independent India has seen ten Presidential Fleet Reviews till now with the last one held in 2011. Incidentally, the forthcoming event is the second IFR after the first one held in 2001. Moreover, the Fleet Review is staged once during the five-year term of the President. India’s first President Rajendra Prasad presided over the first Fleet Review in 1953 off Mumbai.