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MILAN 2014 starts from 4th Feb 2014 at Port Blair : Press Release : Indian Navy
The first week of February will witness Port Blair hosting a multinational mega event, MILAN 2014. MILAN is a congregation of littoral navies conducted biennially by the Indian Navy at the the Andaman and Nicobar Command in Port Blair. Besides fostering co-operation through naval exercises and professional interactions, MILAN provides an excellent opportunity for participating navies to come together in a spirit of collaboration and to enhance mutual understanding.
MILAN made modest beginnings nearly two decades ago when it was first held in 1995. The first edition saw participation of four littoral navies. The event achieved strident success during the ensuing years owing to the high standards of professional content in the interactions. The growing participation over the years bears ample testimony to the success of this multilateral naval initiative. From an event of sub- regional context, MILAN has now grown into a prestigious international event and encompasses participation by maritime forces from not just the Bay of Bengal and South East Asia, but the larger Indian Ocean Region (lOR). While fourteen foreign navies participated in the previous edition of MILAN in 2012, MILAN 2014 is slated to be the largest ever gathering with the participation by navies and maritime forces of 17 countries.
MILAN 2014 is being held at Port Blair from 04 to 09 February 2014. With the underlying theme of 'Friendship Across the Seas', MILAN 2014 will witness a diverse mix of professional interactions, social events and sporting fixtures. The professional interactions during MILAN encompass sharing of views and ideas on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations at sea. An International Seminar on 'Maritime Co-operation for HADR Operations' is on the agenda, in which the Honourable Lieutenant Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islands will deliver the Inaugural Address. A professional display of the Rapid Action Medical Team of the Indian Air Force on the sidelines of MILAN 14 would aptly showcase the robust air borne medical capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
Several events of MILAN 2014 will be open to the public. These include the MILAN display, which will have demonstrations by a sky diving team, motor cycle dare devils, and martial arts and canine demonstration by the local police. An International City Parade will be held along the Marina Park Road with marching contingents from all participating foreign navies, as well as the Indian Armed Forces, a flypast by military aircraft and demonstrations of various military operations. The visiting foreign ships will also be open for visits by school children and local public. MILAN 2014 will culminate with a PASSEX or Passage Exercise of naval manoeuvres at sea by all participating naval ships.
The Golden Jubilee of the oldest naval base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, INS Jarawa, will also be celebrated during MILAN 2014. Named in recognition of the prominent inhabitants of the Islands, the naval base was commissioned in Feb 1964. The golden jubilee of INS Jarawa also marks fifty years of distinguished service by the Indian Navy in the Islands.
MILAN 2014 will also provide an apt opportunity to showcase the rich heritage and pristine natural beauty of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the foreign visitors.