Among those who attended the Conference were Mr. M.K. Vellodi, Defence Secretary, Mr Bhawani Shanker Rao, Financial Adviser; Mr. V. Shankar, Joint Secretary; Commodore G.A. French, Deputy C-in-C, Indian Navy, Rear-Admiral F.A. Ballance, Flag Officer (Flotilla) Indian Fleet; Commodore R.M.T. Taylor, Commodore-in-Charge, Bombay; Captain B.S. Soman, Naval Officer-in-Charge, Vishakapatnam, Captain A. Chakraverti; Captain S.G. Karmarkar; Capt Daya Shanker and Captain B.N. Lele. Principal Staff Officers of Naval HQ. also attended the Conference.

In his address to the Senior Naval Officers' Conference, Vice-Admiral Sir Mark Pizey expressed his satisfaction at the way the Service was gradually achieving self-sufficiency in the training of Officers and men. At the present rate of progress in this sphere, he hoped, it would not be long before the Indian Navy would be completely self-sufficient, except perhaps in a few highly specialised subjects.

Referring to ''Indianisation'' of the Navy, he said the progress had been quite rapid during the year, and that it would be even more rapid during the coming year when a number of senior appointments would be "Indianised".

Admiral Sir Mark Pizey briefly touched upon the formation and growth of the Naval Aviation Wing at I.N.S. Garuda (Cochin). Necessary plans to enable this Wing to play its proper role in conformity with contemporary Naval standards were under preparation, he stated.

Among other points mentioned by the C.-in-C., Navy, in his address, were the gradual expansion of the Navy, acquisition of a tanker-now named I.N.S. Shakti - three Hunt-class Destroyers, growth of the new training schools at Cochin and the various projects at Bombay.

"I was very much impressed by the high standard of smartness, enthusiasm and efficiency ashore and afloat," said Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick R. McGrigor, First Sea Lord, on the eve of his departure from Delhi, after his 11-day visit to India.

In a message to the C-in-C., Navy, the First Sea Lord said: "On leaving India I would like to say how much I appreciate all that was done to make my visit so enjoyable and instructive. Although my time was short the carefully thought out programmes and the trouble that was taken with their execution enabled me to acquire a great deal of first hand knowledge which will be invaluable to me at the Admiralty and will enable me to assist the Indian Navy as far as lies within my power.

"I was very much impressed by the high standard of smartness, enthusiasm and efficiency ashore and afloat. The devotion to the Service that I encountered everywhere augur well for the future.

"On behalf of myself and the whole Royal Navy I send to you and the Indian Navy our best wished for continued success. Good luck to you all."

Vice-Admiral Sir Mark Pizey, C-in-C., Indian Navy, in his reply said:

"Thank you very much for your kind message which the Indian Navy deeply appreciate.

"It was an honour and a pleasure to have had you with us and I know that the Officers and men of every place that you visited wished that your stay could have been longer. We are very much encouraged by the keen interest you have shown in all our activities.