KOCHI: Vice Admiral Girish Luthra took over charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command from Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba at a ceremonial parade held at the Naval Base on Saturday.

The parade was followed by the traditional ‘Pulling Out’ ceremony in which the outgoing Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba was ceremonially pulled out in a jeep by Flag Officers and Commanding Officers of ships and naval establishments of Kochi.

Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba will assume charge of the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command, in  Mumbai on Sunday on the retirement of the present incumbent Vice Admiral S P S Cheema.

Earlier in the day, Vice Admiral Luthra placed wreath at the War Memorial prior to assuming command, as a tribute to the thousands of martyrs who fought for the country. The Flag Officer, a native of Haryana, had reached Kochi on  January 29.

Delivering the farewell address, Vice Admiral Lanba reminded everyone, particularly the personnel under training, that it was incumbent upon them to utilise the top-class training being accorded to them towards becoming excellent professionals in the service of the country. Many senior officers of the Command and their families were present  to view the parade.