Visit to INS Viraat: 'VIPs' preferred to students

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JULY 21. For scores of youths and visitors, the docking of INS Viraat, the aircraft carrier, at the Chennai port was no occasion for cheer.

Though they had obtained permission from INS Adyar, the naval establishment here, to go round the ship between 3 and 4 p.m., entry was not possible for many.

A big contingent of students from the Kalaimagal Vidyalaya, Royapuram, which arrived at 2.45 p.m. could not go on board the carrier.

The Principal, Ms. Vidya Mohan Raman, said permission had been given for 800 students to visit the ship. Students in Third to 12th standards were brought in eight buses.

They had to return disappointed as the visit was not possible, because ``VIP visitors'' had got preference. Many Navy officers advised the students to ``join the Navy and get on the ship''.

Groups of persons claiming to have obtained permission from INS Adyar, also got a similar reaction. Long queues were found at the quay, but there was little enthusiasm among those who waited, as they came to know that they would have to return without going round the vessel.

The members of the public had approached INS Adyar based on an announcement published in newspapers on July 9 that organised groups would be allowed to visit the ship on July 21.

Even during the Navy exercises, similar difficulties were experienced. Those holding invitations were at a loss to find their seats and many had to face disappointment despite holding the necessary papers.

The relatively small Navy establishment in Chennai could not cope with the huge crowd of invitees who turned up.

On the complaints raised by the public today, telephonic attempts to contact senior Navy officers proved futile.

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Section  : Southern States
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