Parrikar clarifies on Akshay, Kangana role at Fleet Review; Vizag set for City Parade

Vishakhapatnam, Feb 08: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday swiftly acted to douse the fire over the presence of Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut at the International Fleet Review (IFR2016) opening ceremony.

Both Bollywood celebrities were reported as ‘brand ambassadors of IFR,' by a section of media after their performance at the opening ceremony of the IFR2016 held at INS Sathavahana Stadium on Friday.

Parrikar was responding to queries posed by journalists on the sidelines of the International Maritime Conference today.

"Brands ambassadors have to sell a brand. They were not brand ambassadors. They were invited," Parrikar said.

He clarified that there was no contracts were made them or any payments made. "They were just invitees," the minister said.

Meanwhile, Vishakhapatnam - The City of Destiny - is all set to witness an Operational Demonstration (Ops Demo) and the International City Parade on RK Beach today evening.

According to Indian Navy officials, an exhilarating 30-minute Ops Demo awaits the spectators.
"We will showcase multidimensional operational tasks undertaken by the various arms of the Indian Navy. Several warships, submarines, aircraft as well as Marine Commandos will present an action packed display of the capabilities of the Indian Navy," says a Navy spokesperson.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present for the show.

Later during the International City Parade will see the marching contingents from Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, State Police, NCC, foreign navies and marching bands from the three Services and visiting countries.

"A hornpipe dance will be performed by the Sea Cadet Corps and tableaus will add vibrancy and color to the event. The unique parade will be conducted after sunset which will be followed by illumination of ships, pyrotechnics culminating with a light and sound show," says the spokesperson.

OneIndia News