The Navy Day was celebrated on Monday at INS Shivaji, the premier marine engineering training institute of the Indian Navy.
Basically, the Indian Navy celebrates 4th December as Navy Day every year to acknowledge the role of the Indian Navy and commemorate its achievements in ‘Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Notably, this time the Navy Day Celebrations were conducted outside any major naval station, for the first time, at Tarkarli beach in Sindhudurg Taluk of Malvan District of Maharashtra.
Worth mentioning that Indian Navy Day is celebrated every year with different themes.
This year’s theme is ‘Operational Efficiency, Readiness, and Mission Accomplishment in the Maritime Domain’.
Noteworthy, the Indian Navy undertook operational demonstration which showcased capabilities of Indian Naval ships, submarines, aircraft, helicopters and Special Forces.
The event saw participation of more than 15 major and minor warships (mostly indigenous) along with over 40 aircraft comprising MIG 29 K, indigenous LCA Navy and Advanced Light Helicopter, as well as the newly inducted multi-mission helicopter MH 60 R.
The Prime Minister witnessed the Operational Demonstration as the Chief Guest conducted at Tarkarli Beach.
Other major attractions included performance by the Naval Band, Continuity Drill by the Naval contingent and Hornpipe dance by the Cadets of Sea Cadet Corps.
The grand event culminated with the traditional illumination of ships at anchorage followed by laser show and illumination of Sindhudurg Fort.
Besides, the backdrop for the event was the iconic Sindhudurg Fort built in 1660 by the iconic Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which boasts of India’s rich maritime history.
Significantly, the event also included the unveiling of a spectacular 43 feet high statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Rajkot Fort by the Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi.
The event was hosted by Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff and conducted by Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
The magnificent event was also witnessed by Shri Ramesh Bais, Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the Deputy CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar. Also in attendance were Union Minister Shri Narayan Rane, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff and a host of dignitaries from the Armed Forces, Foreign Service Attaches, Central and State government, as well as local populace in large numbers.
Navy Day celebrations are aimed at fostering greater outreach, renewing maritime consciousness amongst the citizens and highlighting the Navy’s contributions towards national security and nation building.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/
