INS Rana wins Eastern fleet boat pulling regatta-12 The Eastern Fleet Whaler Pulling Regatta was held today, 25 Jan 12, at Naval Base, Visakhapatnam. A total of 12 teams competed across the four categories namely Best Whaler, Officers Boat, Senior Sailors Boat and Junior Sailors Boat.
The Pulling Regatta is an annual event that involves keenly contested Whaler boat races. The Whaler is 27 feet boat that is rowed by five able bodied men called pullers using 17 feet oars, and steered by a coxswain.
To this day, the regatta continues to occupy great importance in the Naval sporting calendar. This annual competition brings out the best in all mariners and ships participate with unparallel spirit and enthusiasm for this big event. The teams practice hard for weeks prior to the Regatta. The race covering a distance of 1.3 km, calls for excellent team work and is a test of physical and mental strength of each individual puller. For the sea going fraternity, there is no greater competitive sporting event than the Regatta, as it highlights the virtues of Pulling Together and esprit-de-corps.
Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval command, was the Chief Guest at the event and gave away prizes to the winners. Rear Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and other Senior Officers, sailors and their families witnessed the Regatta.
INS Rana emerged first and won the coveted Cock Trophy. This ship would thus be called the Cock Ship till the next Regatta.

Badminton is one of the best sports for maintaining all round fitness Sri. AP Choudhary, CMD, RINL today declared open ‘AP State Senior Men & Women Badminton Championship-2012’ tournament at Ukku Indoor Stadium, Ukkunagaram. Sri. Choudhary said that the Badminton is one of the best sports for maintaining all round fitness, we can take great pride in this sport. He also said that Badminton though a game of shorter duration, calls for perfect fitness and playing this game regularly helps in maintaining our health in good shape. He urged to play badminton for all round development. The tournament is being organised by the ‘Vizag Steel Badminton (Shuttle) Development Association, Ukkunagaram in association with CSR & Sports departments of VSP, Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association and Vizag District Badminton Association. Around 150 players are participating from more than 19 districts in the tournament . It is the first time the association organizing 18 events for different age groups from 35 to 60 years for both men and women. The tournament will be concluded on 22nd January, 2012. The players were provided with food, accommodation and transportation by the association. Eminent referees under the leadership of Sri. K Panirao are also participating. Smt. D. Sri Latha, President VSBDA, Ukkunagaram expressed her gratitude to the VSP Management for providing all the facilities and support. Shri Umesh Chandra, Director(Oprns), Shri P Madhusudan, Director(Fin), Shri Srinivas, Secretary, District Badminton Assn., Shri GN Murthy, GM (F&A) & Patron, Ukkunagaram Badminton Assn., Sri. D Adinarayana, Sri. N. Rama Rao, Sri. Mantri Rajasekar, Senior Executives, sports men & women, public in large number attended the inaugural function.