Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla receiving the general salute during the parade.Indian Navy’s Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla on Tuesday took over the reins of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) as its 28th Flag Officer Commanding- in-Chief. He has replaced Vice Admiral AR Karve, retired after 38 years of yeoman service. VAdm Chawla was previously the Chief of Personnel at the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence, Navy at Delhi. The Flag Officer, a native of Dehradun, had arrived in Kochi on Monday, the Indian Navy said. A static ceremonial parade, consisting of 16 platoons including 4 armed platoons and a 50 men “Guard of Honour” was held at the naval base on the occasion in which both the admirals were accorded General Salutes and which concluded with a “March in Review Order”.
Subsequently, both Flag Officers carried out the formal handing / taking over in the office of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
Speaking to the members of the media, prior to his departure, VAdm Karve expressed satisfaction at the synergy achieved by the Command with the civil administration of the state in responding to different “Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)” requirements.
