Navy band to regale audience on Aug 7 at Visakhapatnam

As part of Independence Day celebrations, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is organising a public performance of military music with its team of 32 skilled musician sailors here on August 7.
The programe will be held at the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority Park and is aimed at acquainting the music-loving public of Visakhapatnam with the professional capabilities of the personnel of the Naval band.
The one hour performance from 5:30 pm will include popular patriotic songs in addition to a medley of other flavours and golden numbers of Hindi, Telugu and English.
The Eastern Naval Command Band was commissioned as the Naval Band of INS Circars in the early 50s with 26 men. The band has emerged as a 50 piece Symphonic band today with a vision to develop further, a navy release said here today.

Apart from enthralling the audiences at Visakhapatnam and major cities across the country, the band has enchanted music lovers overseas with its performances.
Under the baton of their present Band director, Lieutenant Commander Satish K Champion, the ensemble relates closely to the mass audience of our country with their wide ranging repertoire making every effort to incorporate the different forms and texture of music of the area of performance.

"TROPEX 17 assumes special significance in the backdrop of
the current security scenario, being aimed at testing combat readiness of the combined fleets of the Indian Navy, and the assets of the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard," the ministry said.

As a part of the exercise, niche capabilities of the Marine Commandoes (MARCOs) and Army Special Forces, including Airborne Assault and Combat Free Fall were undertaken from IAF C-130 aircraft.
Naval forces, while enforcing sea and airspace control all around the affected islands, undertook beaching and heli-borne operations for landing of follow-on forces.
During debrief of the exercise, CNS and Chief of Army Staff discussed various options to further enhance the effectiveness of the joint exercise, the ministry said.
It said the exercise will also strengthen inter- operability and joint operations in a complex environment.
"The CNS during his address to the Fleet congratulated the men for keeping the fleet combat ready at all times and executing all assigned tasks in a most professional manner.

"CNS also mentioned that training during peacetime has to be at par with how we would Fight during war and emphasised on taking bold decisions with due cognisance to risks involved and ensuring safety of men and material," said the Defence Ministry statement.