The 24th Admiral R.D. Katari Memorial Lecture titled ‘A National Security Strategy for India and the Maritime Domain’ was delivered by Shyam Saran, Chairman, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and Chairman, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB).

Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, presided over the function. Navy Foundation (NF) is an organisation of retired naval officers with the Chief of Naval Staff as its President. The 15 branches of NF pan India, apart from networking the veterans’ community to harness their efforts towards nation building, also undertake philanthropic work and conduct activities to generate awareness on maritime issues. Towards this, the Navy Foundation Delhi Chapter conduct an annual lecture by eminent speakers in memory of late Admiral R.D. Katari.

Admiral R.D. Katari, the first Indian to be Chief of the Naval Staff (April 22, 1958 to June 4, 1962), is widely admired and much loved for the challenge he undertook at the young age of 47 years to integrate the best practices of Royal Navy and lay the foundation of modern Indian Navy. He is also remembered for his pioneering work and strategic vision in providing the fledgling Indian Navy a firm push towards self-reliance and indigenisation, and in formulating the blueprint for the strong force the Indian Navy has become today. Admiral R.D. Katari settled in Secunderabad after his retirement and served as the Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation from December 1962 to May 1964. Thereafter, he was appointed as India’s Ambassador to Burma for five years.