President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Kochi on Thursday afternoon as part of her three -day visit to the state. She was received at the Cochin International airport by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior officials of the State government.
This is Droupadi Murmu’s maiden visit to Kerala after taking over as president of the country.
In the evening, the President presented the President’s Colour award to INS Dronacharya, the gunnery school of the Indian Navy at Fort Kochi. Lt Commander Deepak Skaria received the President’s Color Award from the President.
Governor Arif Muhammad, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief of Naval Staff R Harikumar, Vice-Admiral Hampi Holi and others participated in the function.
The President’s Colour or the Nishan is considered the highest honour that the Supreme Commander, President of India, bestows on a unit for its exceptional service to the nation.
INS Dronacharya was designated as the Centre for Excellence in Gunnery and Missile Warfare in 2004.
Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu said she was delighted to be in Kochi to present the President’s Color to INS Dronacharya, a flagship training ship of the Indian Navy.
“As part of my first visit to Kerala as president, I am delighted to be in Kochi to present the President’s Colour to INS Dronacharya, a flagship training ship of the Indian Navy. As the highest military authority, I am pleased to present the President’s Color Award to INS Dronacharya in recognition of his exceptional service to the nation in war and peace, the president said.
As the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, I am happy to present the President’s Colour to INS Dronacharya, in recognition of the exceptional service rendered to the nation, both in war and peace. pic.twitter.com/q4YlVUCJlI
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 16, 2023