Indian Navy Day Celebrations Marked by Grandeur at Sindhudurg Fortress
Image Source: News India Official
The Indian Navy, the principal manifestation of India’s maritime power, celebrates Navy Day on 4th December every year, in commemoration of Operation Trident during the 1971 War. This daring operation by small Indian naval missile boats not only made Karachi harbour inoperable but also sunk many Pakistani warships and merchant vessels. However, Navy Day was not always celebrated on the 4th of December.
Before independence, the Royal Indian Navy celebrated its Navy for the first time on 21 October 1944, with the aim of reaching out to the public and generating awareness among them. It was only after the 1971 War that it came to be celebrated on 4th December every year.
Before last year, Navy Day celebrations were conducted in the capital city of Delhi. However, as the Chief of the Naval Staff mentioned during the recently concluded Press Conference on 01 December, based on the government’s directives, the Navy has decided to celebrate it across the country to foster maritime consciousness as well as to garner maritime thought. Last year, these celebrations were conducted in the City of Destiny – Visakhapatnam, with the Hon’ble President Smt Droupadi Murmu as the Chief Guest.
This year, Navy Day was celebrated at the historic fort of Shivaji – Sindhudurg – which literally translates to the ‘fort of the oceans’, in Maharashtra. This is also the first time that these celebrations are not being held at any naval station. The theme of this year’s Navy Day is ‘Indian Navy: Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof Force’. Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi graced the occasion, with the Indian Navy displaying her prowess during the operation demo. PM Modi also announced that the Indian Navy, as part of shedding its vestigial linkages, will introduce new epaulettes for its officers and new ‘Indian’ ranks for its sailors.
The reason that the Indian Navy chose Sindhudurg for conducting the Navy Day celebrations could be attributed to the fact that last year, the Navy adopted a new ensign, which was based on the state-seal of the great Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who made significant contributions towards building a strong naval force. The choice of venue, together with the unveiling of Shivaji’s statue by the PM, signifies a major change. A change that the Indian Navy has made an unequivocal commitment – Ghulami ki maansikta se mukti. What needs to be seen is whether these changes are going to create an impact for the naval personnel or not?
Notwithstanding, Navy Day provides all Indians an apt occasion to thank the sea-warriors for their contribution towards the security of India’s national interests – wherever they may lie!
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- Anushka Pundir is a driven student currently pursuing her Masters in Business Administration (F&A) at Amity University. Anushka embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science (Hons) from Delhi University, a testament to her diverse interests. Following her undergraduate studies, she dedicated herself to the rigorous preparation for UPSC and other government exams, showcasing her commitment to public service.
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