Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (MB)

Mangalore, May 19: Commander Valentine Sequeira, an officer of the Indian Navy, originally hailing from Bajpe-Karambar on the outskirts of the city, has bagged the much-coveted 'Agni' award. He received it from prime minister Manmohan Singh at a presentation ceremony held in Delhi on May 13.

The award has been bestowed on him in recognition of his services in enabling the shipbuilding unit of the Navy in achieving self-reliance. He had also received a 'Vishisht Seva' service medal 2005 on Republic Day this year.

Born in Bajpe-Karambar, Sequeira studied in Pompei School, Aikala, did his PUC in St Aloysius, Mangalore and studied BE in Metallurgical Engineering at the then Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC), Suratkal, now known as National Institute of Technology - Karnataka (NITK). In 1974, he joined the shipbuilding division of the Indian Navy as an engineer.

Sequeira played a major role in the building of the naval ships like the very first indigenously-designed, INS Godavari. He was the guiding spirit behind the anti-missile programme held in Delhi. He has also been credited with having saved Rs 80 crore for the national exchequer by utilizing indigenous steel in building ships.