A cyclothon was flagged off from INS Dronacharya in Kochi to the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kannur district of Kerala yesterday to commemorate the Swarnim Vijay Divas and Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.<br />”<br />”The event is named Astra Shakti, in honour of the missile attack on Karachi harbour during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.<br />”<br />”The cyclothon, organised to coincide with the commencement of the war, will culminate in Kochi on December 16, the day of signing of the instrument of surrender in the then East Pakistan.<br />”<br />”75 cyclists from the Indian Navy are participating in the event, &nbsp;symbolising 75 years of Indian Independence.<br />”<br />”The cyclists will be visiting various educational institutions enroute to create awareness amongst the youth about the 1971 Indo-Pak war and the armed forces as a career option.<br />”<br />”Rear Admiral Antony George, Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command flagged off the cyclothon.<br />”<br />”Meanwhile, a symphonic concert of the Naval Band was organised at the Naval Base in Kochi last evening as part of the ongoing Navy Week celebrations. The event was attended by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.<br />”<br />”<br />