Fleet Night - FLITE2026 was conducted on 02 Jun 26 to recognise the grit, excellence and unyielding spirit of the men and women of the #EasternSword that power India's Eastern maritime shield. 🇮🇳⚓
VAdm Sanjay Bhalla, #FOCINC East lauded the Fleet's relentless pursuit of excellence and acknowledged the support of the Fleet families - the unsung anchors whose quiet resolve and personal sacrifices make every mission possible.
The Fleet's finest were recognised for their outstanding operational excellence:
🏆 Most Spirited Ship — INS Sumedha and INS Nistar
🏆 Best Ship (Corvette, Amphibious and OPVs) — INS Kiltan
🏆 Best Ship — INS Satpura
@indiannavy@IN_HQENC@PRO_Vizag
Her name is Pratiksha Tondwalkar.
She was born in 1964 in Pune into a Scheduled Caste family.
When she was in Class 7, her father decided to pull her out of school and get her married. Her teacher begged him to let her continue. She even offered to pay for Pratiksha’s education herself. Her father refused.
She was married at 17. Her husband Sadashiv Kadu worked as a bookbinder at a Mumbai branch of the State Bank of India.
When she was 20, he died in a road accident. She was left with a two year old son and no education.
She walked into the same SBI branch to collect her late husband’s dues. She told the bank she needed any job they could give her.
They gave her a broom.
She swept floors. She dusted furniture. She cleaned restrooms. She earned Rs 65 a month.
She said in an interview whenever my son asked for a packet of biscuits I would get off the bus one stop early just to save the fare money to buy them for him.
After work, she enrolled in night college in Vikhroli. She completed Class 10 with first class marks. Then Class 12. Then a psychology degree. Bank colleagues helped her study whenever they could.
Her parents pressured her to remarry immediately. She refused until she had graduated.
She was promoted from sweeper to messenger to clerk.
She remarried in 1993. Her husband Pramod Tondwalkar encouraged her to take the banking officer exams. She cleared them.
She rose from trainee officer to Scale 4 to Chief General Manager.
In 2022, she became Assistant General Manager of the State Bank of India.
The same bank where she once cleaned restrooms for Rs 65 a month gave her its highest management honour 40 years later.
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🌊⚓As part of Exercise Kakadu 2026, Commander Australian Fleet RADM Chris Smith AM, CSM, RAN hosted the Fleet Commander's Conference at the National Maritime Museum in Sydney. Representatives from 19 partner nations came together to discuss maritime security, open sea lanes, and the partnerships that underpin trade, stability, and peace across the Indo‑Pacific.
#YourADF #AusNavy
⚓️ From convergence to cooperation — MILAN 2026✨
From professional exchanges ashore to coordinated multi-domain operations at sea, #ExerciseMILAN26 showcased maritime partnership in action.🌊
🎥 Moments that defined MILAN 2026 👇
#UnitedThroughOceans 🌊
#IndianNavy ⚓
#MILAN2026
Exercise MILAN 2026 concludes at sea
From vibrant harbour engagements and professional exchanges to high-tempo multi-domain operations at sea, #ExerciseMILAN26 culminated aboard India’s indigenous aircraft carrier @IN_R11Vikrant.
With the Sea Phase comprising 42 ships & submarines and 29 aircraft, the exercise strengthened interoperability, maritime cooperation and enduring professional bonds among participating navies. 🫱🏻🫲🏻
#UnitedThroughOceans 🌊
#ExerciseMILAN26 ⚓
Details ⬇️
https://t.co/v6nnRi5C6m
@IN_HQENC@IN_EasternFleet
Attended the inaugural ceremony
of MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam.
MILAN has evolved into one of India’s most credible and consistent maritime engagements. This year, with the participation of 74 nations, MILAN-2026 stands as the largest and most inclusive edition to date. It reflects the global maritime community’s trust in India as a responsible and reliable maritime partner.
https://t.co/S3ItHKA5IO
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱! ⚽🏀🏐🪢
⚓️As part of #ExerciseMILAN26 Harbour Phase, personnel of the Indian Navy & Friendly Foreign Navies came together for high-energy sports fixtures — from futsal, volleyball & basketball to tug of war, relays & endurance challenges — sharing laughs, sweat & true sportsmanship!
Building #BridgesOfFriendship on and off the field 🤝
#UnitedThroughOceans #IFR2026_India #IndianNavy
On behalf of fellow Indians, I convey warmest feelings of friendship and appreciation to the officers and sailors from friendly foreign navies. You represent the best traditions of your Services and your Nations.
Pleased to welcome the world’s navies to Visakhapatnam for the International Fleet Review, MILAN and IONS Conclave hosted by the Indian Navy.
Guided by Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—this global gathering reflects India’s commitment to partnership, peace and shared maritime prosperity. Andhra Pradesh is honoured to host this historic moment for the nation.
@narendramodi@IN_HQENC
#IFR2026_India #UnitedThroughOceans #MAHASAGAR #IndianNavy #AndhraPradesh #Visakhapatnam
President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The President said that International Fleet Review reflects unity, trust and respect among nations for maritime traditions. She expressed confidence that all the navies represented in this Fleet Review will collectively help the oceans thrive as gateways for growth, prosperity and overall well-being of the global community.
The Indian Navy warmly welcomes navies from across the globe as they sail towards Visakhapatnam for IFR 2026. 🌏🇮🇳
This grand maritime gathering will celebrate friendship, shared values and cooperation on the high seas, bringing nations together in the spirit of unity. ⚓🌊
See you at IFR 2026, Visakhapatnam.
#IFR2026_India #UnitedThroughOceans #MILAN2026 #IONS2026 #IndianNavy #MAHASAGAR #conclave #maritimesecurity
@IndianNavy@IN_WNC@IN_HQENC@IN_HQSNC
A grand maritime convergence is on the horizon.
#IFR2026_India brings together:
⚓ International Fleet Review
🌊 MILAN Naval Exercise
🤝 IONS Conclave of Chiefs
As the world’s navies prepare to converge, the Indian Navy welcomes friends and partners from across the oceans to India’s shores. 🇮🇳🤝🌍
#UnitedThroughOceans #IndianNavy #MILAN2026 #IONS2026 #MaritimeConvergence2026
#Jointmanship#Synergy
Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief #ARTRAC and Colonel of the #14ScindeHorse, visited #INSSatpura at Visakhapatnam on 23 Jan 26 as part of the enduring affiliation between the ship and the regiment.
The General was accompanied by the Commanding Officer, officers and men of #14ScindeHorse.
The officer was welcomed onboard by Rear Admiral Alok Ananda and Commanding Officer INS Satpura. During the visit, the General and his delegation were given a guided tour of the frontline frigate and interacted with the crew, gaining insights into the ship’s operational ethos, capabilities and life at sea.
The unique affiliation between #INSSatpura #WhiteTigers and #14ScindeHorse #TheIrregulars, both units with illustrious legacies, continues to foster mutual understanding, inter-service synergy and jointmanship, strengthening the enduring bond between the #IndianArmy and #IndianNavy.
@HQ_IDS@indiannavy@adgpi@IN_HQENC