By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: To commemorate the first death anniversary of Late Vice Admiral S.H.Sarma, PVSM, the Navy Foundation and the Admiral Sarma Centenary Committee are holding a month long series of events starting from the 1st December 2022. The release of his much acclaimed book in Odia, release of a set of postcards, a coffee table book, a seminar on Naval Strategy in the Indian ocean etc. are being planned.
Vice Admiral Sarma was the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet during the 1971 war and also served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC in C) of the Eastern Naval Command. He expired on the 3rd January 2022 and has left behind a legacy of 35 years service in the Indian Navy. He was a son of the soil, a brave Odia who devoted his life for the motherland.
The book “Mo Sagar Jeevan Smriti” , an Odia translation of his much acclaimed book “My Years at Sea” was released by Smt. Sulochana Das, Mayor of Bhubaneswar at Navy House today. Copies of the books were distributed to different schools. Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor said that Admiral Sarma was an inspiration of many Odias and that youth should emulate his ideals.
Capt. Navin Chandra Sarma, the son of Admiral Sarma thanked the translator and said that the book will be distributed free of cost to many schools all over the State. Among the others present on the occasion were General Narayan Mohanty, General J K Mohanty, Veteran Bidyadhar Nayak, President of the Veterans Club of Odisha. They lauded the stellar role played by Admiral Sarma in the Indian Navy and his contribution to the State. Speaking on the occasion, Historian Anil Dhir said that a proper Gallery should be dedicated to Admiral Sarma at the Maritime Museum at Cuttack where his life story can be displayed. He said that Admiral Sarma was a keeper of the flame, he upheld the ancient maritime traditions of Odisha. The family of Admiral Sarma are willing to donate all his artefacts if the Gallery is commissioned.
Similar book release and book handing over ceremonies have been planned at Brahmapur and Cuttack too.
