The Navy Foundation Pune Chapter (NFPC) annually conducts a Memorial Lecture to honour the memory of the late Admiral JG Nadkarni the 16th Chief of the Naval Staff (1987-1990), who had settled in Pune after his retirement. This year, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command (C-in-C), Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, AVSM, NM delivered the 5th Admiral JG Nadkarni Memorial Lecture on the topic “Emerging Maritime Canvas” at Charak Auditorium, Command Hospital, Pune at 3 p.m. on 30 Nov 2024. The C-in-C was received by VAdm Jaywant Korde PVSM AVSM VSM (Retd), who introduced him to the other NFPC Committee members as well as the senior veterans present. The proceedings began with observing one minute silence for departed Veterans and Veer Naaris, following which the President NFPC delivered the welcome address.

The title ‘Emerging Maritime Canvas’ was quite apt for the talk that followed by the C-in-C, covering a wide range of subjects. He began by highlighting the importance of the seas and described the maritime interests which were integral to the economic development and prosperity of India, primarily our dependence on seaborne trade, exploitation of living and non-living resources in a sustainable manner, as well as the shipping and shipbuilding sectors. He stated that it was vital for India to ensure the security of the seas in its neighbourhood, for which the Navy played a key role. He highlighted the primary threats – both conventional and unconventional – that the nation faced and stated the Navy had addressed these very effectively. In particular, he spoke of the operations that the Indian Navy had undertaken to rescue mariners whose ships had been attacked by the Yemen based Houthi militant group. He also described the operation to rescue the crew of MV Ruen, through Marine Commandos transported by IAF C-17 aircraft and paradropped with pinpoint precision. He ended his talk by stating that the Navy had geared up to meet the many challenges that lay ahead through modernisation and force structuring. Following the lecture, the C-in-C fielded a number of questions from the audience.

The President NFPC presented a memento to the C-in-C, as well as to Brig Sachin Kulkarni, Brig Adm, Command Hospital for the support provided in organising the event. This was followed by a Vote of Thanks delivered by RAdm RJ Nadkarni AVSM VSM (Retd), son of the late Adm JG Nadkarni.

The Lecture was well attended by a large audience comprising naval veterans of the Navy Foundation Pune Chapter, veterans from sister services, members of organisations such as the Centre for Advanced Strategic Studies, Indian Maritime Foundation, Pune International Centre, representatives from corporates and industry as well as a large number of students from DY Patil University, and cadets from Sea Cadets Corps, Sea Scouts and Guides and the Boys Brigade.

Click here for photos of the event.