Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3 (NationPress) President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, touched down in the state capital on Wednesday to partake in the inaugural Navy Day festivities being held in Kerala.

Upon her arrival, she was greeted with a ceremonial reception at the airport, where Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and numerous other high-ranking officials welcomed her.

Following her arrival, the President reviewed a ceremonial guard of honour before heading to the city for the evening’s events at Shankhumukham Beach, which has been elegantly transformed into a spectacular venue for the naval display.

Navy Day honors the Indian Navy’s audacious and effective strike on Karachi harbour during the 1971 Indo-Pak war—a pivotal moment in the country’s maritime narrative.

This year’s celebrations promise to be one of the largest public exhibitions by the Navy, featuring 19 warships, a submarine, four fast-interceptor craft, and 32 naval aircraft—including fighters and helicopters—taking part.

The public is invited to witness these impressive demonstrations.

A Navy communiqué stated that the event will commence with a striking salute from an MH-60R helicopter, which will dip its nose in a low-altitude flight as a gesture of homage to the President.

Next, a coordinated ‘W’ manoeuvre by frontline warships will unfold, accompanied by banner formations from Chetak helicopters.

Special forces units will showcase ‘visit, board, search and seizure’ operations, while additional highlights will include a simulated missile launch from warships, submarine sail-past, high-speed runs by interceptor craft, water-jet fast attack displays, and MiG-29K launch and recovery simulations from an aircraft carrier.

Combat maneuvers by Hawk AJT aircraft, helicopter deck landings on moving vessels, composite fly-pasts, and anti-submarine rocket firing will further enrich the spectacle.

Traditional hornpipe dances and a ceremonial beating retreat will mark the conclusion of the event.

After the celebrations, President Murmu will visit Kerala Lok Bhavan—the recently renamed official residence of the Governor—becoming its inaugural official guest after the new nameplate was installed earlier in the day.