NAMASTE 149Chaparai WaterfallsJust 15 km from Araku, this natural rock stream flows through lush forests. A perfect picnic and play spot for families.Fact: Its scenic beauty made it a popular Telugu film shooting location.Ananthagiri HillsAnanthagiri Hills is a scenic hill station, surrounded by coffee plantations and forest trails, the hills are also known for their hidden waterfalls.Fact: One of India’s oldest coffee-growing regions.Araku Coffee MuseumA one-of-its-kind space celebrating Araku’s world-famous coffee. Explore its journey from bean to brew, and sample fresh local blends.Experience: Try their handcrafted chocolates and signature cold brews.Tribal ExperiencesExperience the vibrant Dhimsa folk dance, where rhythmic movements and tribal music celebrate community life and joy. At Giri Grama Darshini, visitors gain insight into indigenous lifestyles, crafts, traditions and the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh’s tribal communities.
150 NAMASTE Budithi BrasswareBudithi, a village in the Srikakulam District, is renowned for its finely crafted brassware. From traditional cooking utensils to elegant flower vases, each piece carries a legacy built over 200 years, marked by locally sourced zinc and copper and its signature black and gold striped patterns.Fact: Budithi Brassware earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2013.Bobbili VeenaThe Bobbili Veena is a traditional string instrument that embodies Andhra Pradesh’s musical heritage. Crafted by skilled artisans in Gollapalli near Bobbili, each veena takes about a month to create, ensuring quality and durability.Fact: Carved from a single block of jackwood, this 17th Century craft holds a GI tag since 2011.Ponduru KhadiPonduru Khadi is one of Andhra Pradesh’s most celebrated handloom traditions, known for its finely spun khadi with thread counts of 120s to 149s. Made from native hill cotton and rare red-seed cotton through a fully manual process, it is prized for its crisp texture and natural whiteness, and has been worn by leaders from Mahatma Gandhi to modern-day Presidents and ministers.Fact: Ponduru Khadi received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in December 2025.Etikoppaka CraftEtikoppaka, a quiet village on the banks of the Varaha River, is home to a 400-year-old tradition of turned wood lacquer craft. Artisans shape soft Wrightia tinctoria (ivory wood) on a lathe and finish each piece with natural, non-toxic dyes derived from roots, bark, and seeds. Colour is bonded to wood using lac resin, a meticulous process refined over generations.Fact: Etikoppaka craft received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017. Handloom & Craft TrailFrom the villages surrounding Visakhapatnam come these time-honoured crafts, each shaped by local hands and history.Recognised with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, they reflect the region’s enduring artisanal traditions.Bobbili VeenaBudithi BrasswareEtikoppaka: Male & Female Wall Danglers
NAMASTE 151Fine Khadi being hand-spun on the charkha at Ponduru
152 NAMASTE AcknowledgementsThis book is the outcome of a concerted team endeavour, from concept to print. There are numerous individuals who have contributed at various stages of this project, united by a shared commitment and purpose. This volume will serve both as a souvenir and a repository of information for the International Fleet Review and MILAN 2026. Grateful acknowledgement is hereby extended to all Flag Officers, seniors, and organisations whose invaluable support and contributions made this book possible.Naval Headquarters, New DelhiHeadquarters, WNC, ANC, ENC, SNCMedia & Public Information Cell, New DelhiIFR Cells - Delhi and VisakhapatnamMaritime Warfare Centre, VisakhapatnamMaritime History Society, MumbaiPhoto SectionsEastern FleetINS VikrantINS [email protected]@indiannavyofficialchannel@indiannavy@IN_HQENCRear Cover Art: Ms Nivriti Valluru, a naval daughter
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154 NAMASTEThe logos employ the Mandala art as a unifying design language, allowing geometry, colour and maritime motifs to converge in visual harmony. In the watercolour for IFR logo, layers of ocean blues and flowing strokes evoke the movement of the seas, capturing the unity of distant shores and maritime paths. The MILAN logo weaves together various maritime motifs into shared space, suggesting 'Camaraderie, Cooperation and Collaboration' that span waters and connect across the globe. United through Oceans