Modi poses for pictures, mobbed at Navy chief's 'At Home'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday posed for pictures for the men in uniform and their spouses as he attended the Navy chief's 'At Home' reception here.

The reception was hosted by Admiral R.K. Dhowan at his official residence on the 43rd Navy Day. High ranking officers of navy, army and the air force and their spouses attended the event.

While the women were keen to get clicked with the prime minister, the men in uniform appeared eager to shake hands with the man steering the nation.

Even as the formalities for the evening went on, a group of women was seen awaiting near the podium where the prime minister, President Pranab Mukherjee and other dignitaries along with three Service chiefs were seated.

Modi did not disappoint them. He came down from the dais and shook hands with many, clicked pictures, but the crowd kept growing and he was finally escorted back to the stage by his guards.

Nonetheless there were many who could not get the opportunity to get clicked or shake hands with the prime minister. They were visibly disappointed.

This is not the first time the prime minister has been mobbed, nor the first time he has been mobbed at an event where officials from the forces were present.

At the 'At Home' reception on the Air Force Day, despite the presence of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, the crowd that wanted to get clicked with or meet the prime minister kept swelling.

The prime minister tweeted Thursday morning: "On Navy Day, I salute our navy personnel and the impregnable spirit and utmost devotion with which they protect our motherland." Former prime minister Manmohan Singh also attended the event Thursday.