Admiral Singh cuts down VIP culture in Navy, orders same standards of food, drinks for officers

The newly-appointed Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh has issued elaborate directives aimed at curbing subservient behaviour, restricting certain ceremonial practices and ensuring equality among the ranks.

Admiral Singh has asked all ranks to imbibe contemporary social and ceremonial practices by doing away with the VIP culture that had crept into such events over the years.

“As a modern fighting force, it is important that we imbibe contemporary, social and ceremonial practices towards optimal utilisation of manpower and resources,” the communication said.

The officer has said that practices like garlanding and showering of petals on guests, lighting of lamps and functions of a quasi-religious nature should be avoided.

The order sought to cut down on wasteful expenditure with the pruning of ceremonial practices and ensure that the same standards are met for both officers and men during events. The chief has also done away with the practice of sailors being deployed to open doors and acting as signposts to give directions to guests.

“Juniors be encouraged to be disciplined and respectful but not subservient. Refreshment and meals to be simple and devoid of ostentation,” according to the communication.

The signal was sent on June 3 and is a practice that most service chiefs follow after taking over charge. The instructions have gone in the form of an address by the chief to all ranks in the Navy and has been distributed across all locations.

Before being appointed to the top post, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.