India's prosperity depends on seas : Admiral Prakash

Kochi, Oct 4 (UNI) Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash today stressed that India's prosperity depends to a large extent on 'seas'.

Addressing the gathering after reviewing a ceremonial parade at the Southern Naval Command here, Admiral Prakash said,''The economic prosperity which will dictate India's position in the subcontinent largely depends on our financial stability and it is evident that a large part of our trade, oil energy and marine resources are dependent on the seas around.'' Admiral Prakash, who was on a two-day farewell visit, said that the Navy would add a large number of ships, submarines and aircraft and infrastructure would be developed so that by the end of the decade it would be a strong and powerful force to reckon with.

The Admiral inspected a 50-man 'Nishan Guard' (Guard of Honour with the President's Colours) and the 36 platoons on parade, commanded by Cdr P K Das, while the Navy Band under B Sudarshanan, Master Chief 1st class, played 'Anand Lok', 'By Land and Sea', 'Rani ka Nishan' and 'Beneath the Waves'.

Also present were VAdm Jagjit Singh Bedi, Flag Officer Commanding in-chief of Southern Naval Command, his Chief of Staff RAdm Rajender Singh, Flag Officer Sea Training RAdm M P Muralidharan and Officers, sailors and their families.

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