New Delhi/Visakhapatnam: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) on Thursday hosted the flag-off ceremony for the final leg of the ‘Naman’ Car Rally, a nationwide outreach initiative commemorating the commissioning of the Indian Navy’s 100th indigenously designed warship, INS Udaygiri.
The rally, undertaken by personnel from the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), began on October 29 from Lothal, Gujarat, home to the world’s first known dockyard, and is covering major shipbuilding hubs including Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Chennai and Visakhapatnam. It will conclude in Kolkata on November 17.
Rear Admiral RS Dhaliwal, NM, Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard (Visakhapatnam), flagged off the final segment from HSL in the presence of Rear Admiral Sujit Bari, Director General, Warship Design Bureau; Cmde Rakesh Prasad (Retd), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), HSL; senior naval officers; HSL executives; and representatives from industry and academia. Students from the Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatnam, also participated in the event.
Addressing the gathering, Rear Admiral Dhaliwal said the ‘Naman’ rally showcases India’s expanding maritime capability, technological self-reliance, and the outstanding contributions of the WDB, which has designed more than 100 warships, including destroyers, frigates, survey vessels and the indigenously designed aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. He also commended HSL’s significant role in naval shipbuilding, major refits and complex submarine refits, noting the shipyard’s recent turnaround and its alignment with the national vision of Aatmanirbharta.
Cmde Rakesh Prasad (Retd) described ‘Naman’ as a “Voyage of Pride” that connects India’s ancient maritime heritage with its modern shipbuilding accomplishments. He highlighted the rally’s role in honouring naval designers, engineers and shipyard personnel who have contributed to India’s achievements in indigenous warship design. He reaffirmed HSL’s continued commitment to supporting the Indian Navy and strengthening the country’s maritime defence capabilities.
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