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INS Sahyadri to be commissioned soon - The Times of India Chief of Naval staff Admiral Nirmal Verma said the importance of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has increased manifold in recent times. He said several new projects were coming to the ENC.

The Navy Chief was addressing a gathering after presenting the President's gallantry and non-gallantry awards to navy personnel at a naval investiture ceremony held at Eastern Naval Command (ENC) here on Wednesday. Thirty-three personnel were awarded gallantry and non-gallantry awards.

Admiral Verma said the naval ships INS Shivalik and INS Satpura had been commissioned and INS Sahyadri would be commissioned soon. He said the Indian Navy had displayed exemplary courage in checking piracy menace in the Indian Ocean. Verma said the naval ships had intercepted many pirate trawlers and ships near the Lakshadweep coast.

The Navy Chief received the salute at a parade of 24 platoons and inspected a 50-men armed guard. ENC vice-admiral Anil Chopra, flag officers, commanding officers of various ships and establishments and a large number of service and civilian personnel and their families attended the function. The investiture ceremony was held here after a gap of three years.