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Fleet review will be devoid of joy

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The International Fleet Review, Indian Navy's jumbo show off Bombay shores later this month, will be a scaled down affair in view of the Gujarat earthquake.

The naval headquarters in New Delhi said the fleet review would be a scaled down affair "as national sentiments do not match the joyous mood of the fleet review". The navy spokesman said the review will go ahead as scheduled, but the cultural evening that was to follow has been cancelled.

Till Thursday, 19 foreign countries have confirmed participation of 25 ships, and the naval chiefs of 19 countries confirmed their presence. A total of 30 foreign countries would be marking their presence, including the 19 nations that are sending ships.

The Navy said a total of 86 ships are expected to participate in the fleet review. Apart from the 25 foreign ships, the rest will be important Indian naval ships, the spokesman said.

Though there is speculation about the prime minister skipping the International City Parade, sources in the Naval headquarters said following a "change in the schedule, the prime minister would be attending".

The International Fleet Review will kick off on February 17, with the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President K R Narayanan, reviewing the fleet anchored off Gateway of India.

The review is the second major defence function to be affected by the earthquake.

The Indian Air Force has already postponed its biggest ever firepower demonstration over the Rajasthan skies slated for February 11. To have been performed near Pokhran, the demonstration was to be attended by defence ministers and air force chiefs from 25 countries.

"There would have been conflict of sentiment at a time when the national sentiment is one of grief after the Gujarat earthquake," Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis had said recently.

The demonstration was to have showcased India's fighter, transport and helicopter capabilities, besides the coordination between Army and Air Force.

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