After Sukhoi, Prez's day out at sea in aircraft carrier Viraat

After touching skies in an IAF Sukhoi fighter jet, President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday experienced her first 'day at sea' when she went on board the country's lone aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

After touching skies in an IAF Sukhoi fighter jet, President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday experienced her first 'day at sea' when she went on board the country's lone aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

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And the 74-year-old Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces utilised the opportunity to pep up the Navy and other stake-holders in the maritime arena saluting them for playing a proactive role to prevent a recurrence of Mumbai-type terror attack.

"The Navy and others are playing a proactive role to bring about synergy and establish standard operating procedures to prevent recurrence of such attacks," the President said, addressing Navy personnel aboard the carrier off Mumbai coast after spending nearly three hours in the warship which completed 50 years of service this year.

"Terror attacks last year in Mumbai are a grim reminder of the harm that can be perpetuated through the use of the sea route by elements inimical to India," said Patil, clad in a blue coloured saree and sporting a naval cap,

"The nation reposes implicit faith in the capability and capacity of our maritime forces to protect our sea frontiers and to provide a peaceful environment for maritime trade and other activities," the President, who was flown to the carrier, said.

The President on arrival inspected a guard of honour and witnessed steam-past by warships and submarines and also a fly past by Sea King helicopters and Sea Harrier aircraft. Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma was also present.

Pratibha became the first woman to fly in a Sukhoi Su-30 jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Lohegaon Air Base in Pune November 25 last.