President A P J Abdul Kalam Monday presented colours to the eastern naval fleet at an impressive ceremony in Vishakhapatnam.
Commending the yeoman service rendered by the Eastern Naval Command, Kalam said he was delighted to bestow his colours on the fleet.
"The government will provide all resources to make the fleet technologically strong," he said in his address.
This is the sixth time the President's colours are being presented to the country's naval forces.
The Eastern Naval Command received the honour from late president Giani Zail Singh in 1987.
The President's colours comprise a 36/48" white ensign consisting of the national flag, the Ashoka lions and the President's standard -- the elephant.
Earlier, Kalam received a 21 gun salute and inspected the guard of honour at Circars Parade Ground in Vishakhapatnam and naval platoons took part in an impressive parade during the nearly two-hour long programme.
Three Kiran aircraft flew past the venue at the end of the ceremony.
The chiefs of the armed forces -- Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi, Gen J J Singh and Admiral Arun Prakash -- and Andhra Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur were among the dignitaries present at the occasion.
