Madikeri: A 14-member team of the INS Shivaji visited Madikeri as a part of the ‘Bharath Dharshan’ programme organised on the occasion of Indian Navy’s 75th anniversary.

Commanders Gaurav Seth, Abhimanyu Dhalal, Shyam Kumar K, Lieutenant Commanders Sathish Kumar and G Jagannath, Lieutenants Sudeep Bhattarayi and M K Gautham, Akhil, H Dhahiya, Mandeep Singh, R R Chauhan, E C Palaskar and Elvis Mathew, led by Commander V Seetharam visited the district.

The team of Navy officers visited Gen. K S Thimayya Memorial Museum at Sunny Side in Madikeri and Sainik School in Kudige before visiting various colleges of the district. The intention of the visit was to interact with the youth of the district and encourage them to join the the Indian Navy.

“The team of INS Shivaji under ‘Bharath Dharshan’ programme has scheduled a 45-day visit to various places of the country to encourage the youth to join the Indian Navy. So far, we have covered Delhi, Visakhapatnam and Cochin and will be back to Lonavala on May 9,” said Commander V Seetharam.

Field Marshal Cariappa General Thimayya (FMCGT) Forum President Colonel (Retd) Kandrathanda Subbaiah guided the INS Shivaji team across the district and assisted them with the necessary information. Speaking to media persons, he said, “The team will visit various educational institutes of the district to identify talented students. The Navy officers intend to train talented youth and recruit them into the Indian Navy.”

Major (Retd) B A Nanjappa said, “FMCGT forum is in touch with the Indian Navy and we have requested the force to provide used war ships and weapons for the War Memorial.”