Percept ICE successfully manages the International City Parade held at the International Fleet Review 2016

Percept ICE, the Special Projects, Events and Conventions Domain Company of Percept Limited, bagged the prestigious mandate of managing and executing the International City Parade, an integral part of the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016 held at Visakhapatnam. IFR 2016 took place from 4th February 2016 to 8th February 2016, while the International City Parade was held on Sunday, 7th February 2016. Shri Narendra Modi, the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, was the Chief Guest at the International City Parade.

A Naval Fleet Review is a long-standing tradition of navies’ world-over and displays the naval might and combat readiness. The event allows the host nation an occasion to display its maritime capabilities and build mutual trust amongst maritime nations. The might of the Indian Navy came together at the IFR 2016 even as the foreign fleet included contingents from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, France, Indonesia, Iran, Maldives, UK and USA. The last time an event on such a large scale took place with the participation of international navies was in Mumbai, 2001.

The International City Parade, one of the highlights of the International Fleet Review 2016, included marching contingents and bands from the Armed Forces, Indian Coast Guard, the City Parade, participating foreign navy contingents and bands along with students of NCC, SCC and School Children. The main objective of Percept ICE was to capture the cultural vibrancy of India and also to showcase the unity and bonhomie between 21 nations on ground.

The Percept ICE team seamlessly handled the massive task of conceptualizing, designing, directing and executing the entire International City Parade event. The scope of work encompassed ideating the entertainment sequences, managing 500 artists representing 21 countries, handling the vibrant and colorful costumes and props depicting the various cultural aspects of this diverse country, designing the float, planning the flow, choreographing, directing and executing the entire event.

The Cultural parade titled “Colors of India” saw nearly 200 artists represent the North, East, West, and South regions of the country. In all there were 500 artists representing their cultural acts from across 21 countries. A spectacular Hornpipe Dance show was performed by the Sea Cadet Corps which added further vibrancy and joie de vivre to the event. This was followed by a stunning view of the illumination of the ships, culminating the evening with a stunning pyrotechnics and Light & Sound show. The event concluded with the official theme song of the IFR “United through Oceans” which was vivaciously inspiring to the show.