New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) After serving the nation for nearly six decades, India’s aircraft carrier INS Viraat today sailed out for the very last time from Kochi, where it made a visit for necessary overhaul before the scheduled decommissioning. The mighty aircraft carrier, which entered into the service after its predecessor INS Vikrant was retired, is being taken to Mumbai for a formal decommissioning at the end of the year. INS Viraat was given a tearful adieu by the staff of Cochin Shipyard limited, which imparted finishing touches to the ship to make fit for converting it into a static museum. INS Viraat shares a special emotional bond with Kochi and Cochin Shipyard limited CSL as the floating airfield turned up there every time it needed repairs or periodic regular maintenance etc. During its last stay at the CSL, all valuable equipment on board like engines, radars, guns will be dismantled to prepare the vessel for the decommissioning. The India's only aircraft carrier for over a decade before INS Vikrmaditya joined the Navy, now awaits a proposal to develop it into an adventure tourism centre or a museum. The Defence Ministry has offered to convert it into the museum with proposals sent to all the coastal states for the purpose. In the run-up to the decommissioning of the world's oldest aircraft carrier, the de-induction ceremony of its aircraft fleet of Sea Harriers was in held in May this year. The mighty Sea Harriers fighter aircraft flew for the last time from the flying deck of INS Viraat and two days later, the fleet was given a farewell at INS Hansa in Goa. Sea Harriers served from INS Viraat as well as INS Vikrant. After the retirement of INS Viraat, the Navy would be left with one aircraft carrier with the indigenously built INS Vikrant still undergoing the sea trial phase. UNI MK PS RSA 1216