Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the program marking Navy Day 2023 celebrations at Sindhudurg, Maharashtra on December 04, 2023.
Further, he also witnessed the ‘Operational Demonstrations’ by Indian Navy’s ships, submarines, aircraft and special forces from Tarkarli beach, Sindhudurg. Shri Modi inspected the guard of honor.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the historic day of 4th December along the magnificent fort of Sindhudurg on the coast of Malvan, Tarkarli, the splendor of Veer Shivaji Maharaj and the inauguration of his spectacular statue at Rajkot Fort along with the roars of the Indian Navy has filled every citizen of India with passion and enthusiasm.
Shri Modi conveyed his best wishes on the occasion of Navy Day and bowed before the brave hearts who laid down their lives for the country.
Prime Minister Modi said that it is indeed a moment of unprecedented pride to celebrate Navy Day from the victorious land of Sindhudurg.
“The Sindhudurg Fort instills a feeling of pride in every citizen of India”, the Prime Minister said as he underlined Shivaji Maharaj’s foresight in recognizing the importance of naval capabilities for any nation.
Reiterating Shivaji Maharaj’s acclamation that those who have control over the seas hold the ultimate power, the Prime Minister said that he had drafted a powerful navy.
He also bowed before warriors like Kanhoji Angre, Mayaji Naik Bhatkar and Hiroji Indulkar, and said that they remain an inspiration even today.
Inspired by the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Prime Minister said, the India of today is moving forward abandoning the slavery mentality.
He expressed happiness that the epaulettes donned by the Naval Officers will now highlight the heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the new epaulettes will be similar to the naval ensign.
He also recalled unveiling the Naval Ensign last year.
With the feeling of taking pride in one’s heritage, the Prime Minister announced that the Indian Navy is now going to name its ranks in line with Indian traditions.
He also emphasized strengthening Nari Shakti in the armed forces. Shri Modi congratulated the Indian Navy on the appointment of India’s first woman commanding officer in a naval ship.
The Prime Minister said that the trust of 140 crore Indians is the biggest strength as India is setting big goals and working to achieve them with full determination.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister said that a glimpse of positive outcomes of unity of resolutions, emotions and aspirations are visible as people of the diverse states are being driven by the spirit of ‘nation first’.
“Today, the country has taken inspiration from history and is busy preparing a roadmap for a bright future.
People have pledged to move forward in every field by defeating the politics of negativity. This pledge will take us towards a developed India”, he added.
Reflecting on India’s widespread history, the Prime Minister emphasized that it is not about slavery, defeats and disappointments alone, but also comprises the glorious chapters of India’s victories, courage, knowledge and science, art and creative skills, and India’s maritime capabilities.
He highlighted India’s capabilities by giving the example of forts like Sindudurg which were erected when technology and resources were next to none.
Emphasizing the importance of the present time, the Prime Minister said, “This is that period of India’s history, which is going to write the future not just of 5-10 years but for the coming centuries.”
He informed that in the last 10 years, India became 5th largest economy from 10th place and rapidly moving towards 3rd spot.
“The World is seeing the rise of a ‘Vishwa Mitra (friend of the world) in India”, Shri Modi said measures like India Middle East European Corridor will recreate the lost spice route.
He also touched upon the strength of Made in India and illustrated that with the mention of Tejas, Kisan Drone, UPI system and Chandrayaan-3.
Self-reliance in defence is also visible by the imminent start of production of transport aircraft, aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Reiterating the government’s approach of treating the coastal and border villages as the first villages instead of the last, Shri Modi said “Today, it is the priority of the Central Government to improve the life of every family living on the coastal areas.”
He mentioned the creation of the separate fisheries ministry in 2019 and 40 thousand crore rupees investment in the sector.
He informed that after 2014 fishery production increased by 8 percent and exports increased by 110 percent.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister talked about the new tradition of holding armed forces day such as Army Day, Navy Day etc. outside Delhi as this expands the occasion to all over India and the new places get new attention.
Speaking on the occasion, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh termed the unveiling of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a moment of privilege.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji’s life continues to serve as an inspiration to everyone. He was a statesman who foresaw the future possibilities.
He recognised the relevance of the Navy and added a new chapter to India’s rich naval tradition. In line with the Prime Minister’s call to get rid of the colonial mindset, the new ensign was adopted by the Navy, which is inspired by the glorious legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji,” he said.
The Raksha Mantri pointed out that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is moving ahead on the path paved by Chhatrapati Shivaji.
He emphasised that it is essential for any major global power to possess a strong Navy; therefore, for a leader to upgrade Naval capabilities and provide them with necessary resources to strengthen Swarajya, shows visionary statesmanship.
Shri Rajnath Singh was of the view that till a decade ago, the Navy was not considered important and it was believed that the only threat the country faces was land based.
But, PM Modi rose above this limited thinking and focused on all the three wings of the Armed Forces alike.
The Raksha Mantri highlighted the strides being made in the Navy to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’, making special mention of the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which was commissioned by the Prime Minister in September 2022.
“Earlier, most of the Navy’s equipment imported, but today we have become ‘builder Navy’ from ‘buyer Navy’. Today, we are transforming it from Coastal Navy to Blue water Navy.
This transformation truly shows the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister,” he said.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/
