Millennium of Rajendra Chola: TN Guv flags off Navy expedition

As part of Indian Navy's commemoration of emperor Rajendra Chola's millennium of coronation, Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah today flagged off a sailing ship on an expedition to Nagapattinam to relive the experience of the Chola Navy.
Yachts of Tamil Nadu Sailing Association and Royal Madras Yacht Club escorted Indian Navy's sailing and training ship INS Sudarshini out of the Chennai port, after Governor K Rosaiah flagged off the ship in the presence of Commodore Amar K Mahadevan, Naval Officer In-charge (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry).
NCC cadets, sailors of Tamil Nadu Sailing Association and Royal Madras Yacht Club on board the ship sported a cap which read 'Rajendra Chola I' on its expedition to Nagapattinam - one of the naval bases of the Chola Navy.

The expedition was primarily to relive the experiences of Chola navy during the ancient times, Commodore Shekhar (retd), Regional Director of National Maritime Foundation said.
INS Sudarshini would be received by the local elite and dignitaries at Nagapattinam port tomorrow.
Lt Gen Jagbir Singh, General Officer Commanding, (Andhara Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala), Commodore Satish Ayyappa (Deputy Director General (Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Directorate), Additional Chief Secretary to Tamil Nadu Government Sridhar, ADGP C Sylendra Babu of Coastal Security Group, US Consul General Phillip A Min were also present.

The event was organised by Indian Navy jointly with the National Maritime Foundation, Tamil Nadu government, Chennai Port, Tamil Chamber of Commerce, Chozha Nachiar Foundation, Tamil Nadu Sailing Association and Royal Madras Yacht Club.

The event was organised to symbolize the achievements of the Chola Navy, whose ships have sailed and conquered lands in South-East Asia, which is present day Java, Sumatra and Malay Peninsula.
The Navy is also planning a series of events, including seminars and expo.
While a panel discussion on the 'Achievements of Chola Navy and the lessons for modern India' would be held on November 8, a Maritime Heritage Calendar 2015, featuring India's maritime heritage and potential, featuring ships on stamps published by the Philatelic Bureau of India Post would be released during 'At Home' on December 4.