The opening ceremony of International Fleet Review 2016 will be held this evening in Visakhapatnam at Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet Command Stadium, INS Satavahana.Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan will be the Chief Guest for the event and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will grace the occasion. <br/><br/>The event will also be attended by Members of Parliament, State Ministers, Member of Legislative Assembly and Legislative council of Andhra Pradesh. In addition, members of foreign delegations and ships from 50 countries and various dignitaries of the city would also participate. <br/><br/>Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Kangana Ranaut will make appearance as Brand Ambassadors of IFR. Performances by renowned artists stitched together by a common theme of 'seas/ oceans' will be presented to start the IFR in a festive and celebratory mood. <br/><br/>A total of 11,000 guests are expected to attend the function. Performances by various renowned groups of India such as dance performance by Shiamak Davar troupe, Joe Barua Band, medley by Sameer and Abhiruchi and a grand finale by Gandham group aimed at showcasing the traditional Andhra origin dance forms Kuchipudi and Dhimsa to provide a 'feel' of both the rich cultural heritage, traditions and a contemporary India. The programme would culminate with the Sri Lankan Naval Band and dance troupe.

The International Fleet Review opens at the Command Stadium, INS Satavahana in Visakhapatnams this evening. Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan will be the Chief Guest for this grand event while Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will grace the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Beside Members of Parliament, States Ministers, members of foreign delegations and ships from 50 countries and various dignitaries will also participate in the event. <br/><br/>A total of 11,000 guests are expected to attend the function. Performances by renowned artists stitched together by a common theme of 'seas/ oceans' will be presented to start the IFR in a festive and celebratory mood. The International Fleet Review was last conducted by the Indian Navy in 2001 and it is being conducted for the second time after a gap of 15 years. The programme would culminate with the Sri Lankan Naval Band and dance troupe. The overall theme of the exhibition is in accordance with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Make in India'.