First Inshore Patrol Vessel of India named after a Jain Queen

First Inshore Patrol Vessel of India named after a Jain Queen

Visakhapatnam, May 28 : 'Rani Abbakka’, the first of the five Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV), built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) was commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), here today.

Talking to newspersons, Inspector General of ICG (eastern region) SPS Basra, who was present on the occasion with his wife Ms Harkiran Basra, said HSL was building five such vessels for the Coast Guard at a cost of Rs 231.19 crore.

The vessel, meeting International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards, was built for dual class certification by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Indian Registered Shipping (IRS). It was a high speed vessel built of light steel hull and fitted with water jet propulsion system to get high speed operations at 34 knots.

The Centre had already approved a large vessel, five off shore patrol vessels, ten fast patrol vessels, 25 inshore patrol vessels and 20 interceptor boats, he said, adding post Mumbai 26/11 attack, the security scenario had warranted extensive patrolling and enhanced surveillance along the coast in the country.

The threats were real and the reaction to such situations needed to be fast and effective, he added.

HSL Chairman and Managing Director Naresh Kumar said the HSL was constructing three vessels concurrently and would be delivering all the five vessels of the series within an year.
--- UNI



-Mahavir Sanglikar

Ancient Abbakkadevi Basadi resurrected

By Team Mangalorean
Photographs: Rajesh Shetty

ULLAL, March 21, 2008: The 16th century old Chowta Rani Ullal Abbakkadevi Basadi a hallowed place of worship has been renovated and is ready to be handed over the Ullal people according to the chairman of the Apex Bank of Karnataka and a prominent Jain leader M.N. Rajendra Kumar here today.

Addressing a press conference here today Mr.Kumar stated that the 500 year old Basadi was a revered praying shrine for the Jains of Dakshina Kannada. This shrine is stated to have received the queen of Ullal Abbakka Rani during her life time in 16th century.

Mr.Kumar said as a sign of completion of the renovation the ritualistic programmes including "panchakalyan mahotsav", will be held for five days starting from March 23. Mr. Kumar outlining the works taken up by the Trust of the shrine said that the shrine had artistically beautiful depiction of Parshwanath and Aadinatha carved in black granite which had however been mutilated during the last five hundred years. But the Trust had taken pains to replace the idols with the same beauty and same material. The shrine now wears the historical splendour Mr.Kumar added.

Mr.Kumar acknowledging the phenomenal interest shown by the Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Dr. Veerendra Heggade said that the Dharmotthana Trust of the Dharmasthala temple had taken personal interest in renovating the shrine. However the minor shrine outside the main Shrine belonging to the Kshetrapala has been renovated with the help from the people he added. Charukirthi Panditacharyavarya swamiji of the Moodbdiri Jain Math will perform the Panchakalyana ritual on that day he informed.