Chief of Naval Staff visiting Kochi

KOCHI: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma will arrive in Kochi on Wednesday on his first official visit to the Southern Naval Command after assuming office. Admiral Verma, the former Vice-Chief of Naval Staff, assumed office on August 31.The 20th Chief of the Indian Navy, Admiral Verma is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. During his Navy service, he has commanded the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, the Leander Class frigate INS Udaygiri and the Kashin Class destroyer INS Ranvir.Admiral Verma’s 40-year-long career is an amalgamation of Indian and global experience. He commanded the Indian Naval Academy, Goa and was Head of Naval Training Team at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and Senior Directing Staff (Navy) at the National Defence College, New Delhi. He was inducted into the Indian Navy as part of the first Kashin Class Destroyer and was trained in former Soviet Union. He has also completed courses at the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, UK, and the Naval Command Course at the US Naval War College, Rhode Island.On promotion to Vice-Admiral in November 2005, Admiral Verma led the human resource development programmes of the Navy. In his capacity as the Vice-Chief of Naval Staff, he structured the framework for the transformation of the Navy’s combat capabilities and infrastructure development.Prior to taking over as the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Verma, as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command, provided impetus to strengthen the coastal security infrastructure. The Admiral is a recipient of PVSM and AVSM and is also the Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the President of India.On his visit to Kochi, Admiral Verma is accompanied by his wife Madhulika Verma. A host of events have been arranged at the Southern Naval Command as part of the first visit of the CNS. He will inspect a ceremonial parade, address officers, meet sailors and civilians and make a visit to the Joint Operations Centre for Coastal Defence. The CNS will leave Kochi on Thursday. (EXPRESS BUZZ)