This year Indian fishermen attended the Annual Feast of St.Anthony’s church, at the Kachchativu (Katchatheevu) Island on February 27 and 28 as the war on terrorism is over in Sri Lanka. The feast was attended by both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen and devotees. Due to war against terrorism, the feast was not attended by Indian fishermen since 1983. Indian Coast Guard and the Sri Lanka Navy coordinated the event successfully.
Some interesting features of this event are:
- Kachchativuwhich is located (9°23′ N, 79°32′ E) closer to Indo-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
- St Antony’s (Anthoniyar) Church was established in 1905 in Kachchativu. As per the 1974 Treaty between India and Sri Lanka, the Island was ceded to Sri Lanka (by India) ensuring the free access for the pilgrimages from India.
- 3387 Indian fishermen and devotees left Rameshwaram in 114 boats on February 27.
- Local devotees numbering 824 also participated in the feast.
Here is a photograph of the annual feast from Sri Lanka Navy.


defence industry to promote and showcase their products and services. The event is being organized by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The first exhibition was held in 1999 and subsequently in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.
INS Deepak (Yard 6186), the first of the two Fleet Tankers being constructed by M/s Fincantieri Shipyard, Italy, was launched on February 12, at Muggiano. The double hulled tanker is expected to commence trials in April. Commissioning of the vessel is scheduled in India by end 2010.
The AMET University, Chennai in support with National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi is organizing an International Seminar on “Opportunities for Maritime Research in Academia and Industries” on February 06, at 
January 26 is celebrated as Australia Day.
Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane flight ET- 409 with 90 people on board crashed into the Mediterranean Sea about two kilo metres from the sea shore shortly after take-off from Beirut airport on January 25. Eye witnesses report that the aircraft crashed into the sea as a ball of fire. Nobody has survived and rescue operations are going on to recover the dead. Divers are trying to recover the black box of the aircraft.