Kannur (Kerala): On January 8, 2009, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Kannur to dedicate the Ezhimala Naval Academy to Kerala. This moment marked a milestone in the history of the Indian Navy. Dr Manmohan Singh arrived at the venue via a special helicopter from Karipur at around 2:40 pm, slightly later than the scheduled time.

Upon his arrival, Manmohan Singh was welcomed by key figures including Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Southern Region Chief Vice Admiral Sunil K Damle, and Academy Commanding Officer Vice Admiral M P Muralidharan. The event was also attended by Defense Minister A K Antony, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, along with other ministers and officials. Approximately 600 invited guests were present for the occasion.

Security concerns and delays

The visit was marked by heightened security. On the day before the event, an explosive device was discovered near the helipad where the Prime Minister was to arrive. The device, a chemical mixture used for rock explosions in quarries, was wrapped in paper. The police registered a case the next day. There were also reports of concerns over the security of the Prime Minister's convoy.

Manmohan Singh’s speech and solidarity with Palestine

During his speech, Manmohan Singh expressed India's strong solidarity with Palestine, calling for a halt to the attacks in Gaza and advocating for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. His address was briefly interrupted twice by the sounds of aircraft conducting air exercises nearby.