India is set to offer a glimpse of its naval power on the Navy Day on Wednesday (December 4) at an event in Odisha’s Puri, where Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will host chief guest President of India Droupadi Murmu. The display aims to showcase the Indian Navy’s capabilities in protecting India’s maritime interests.
Celebrated on December 4 every year, the day honours the achievements and role of the Indian Navy in safeguarding the country’s maritime borders. Here are 10 key points about Indian Navy Day:
1. History: The day commemorates the Indian Navy’s attack on Karachi Harbour during the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971. Named Operation Trident, the Indian Navy launched its campaign that resulted in the sinking of several Pakistani ships.
2. Significance: Indian Navy Day highlights the importance of the Indian Navy as a guardian of the country’s maritime borders. The day invokes national pride. The Indian Navy Day is a celebration of national pride, recognising the sacrifices and contributions of Indian Navy personnel in protecting the country’s maritime interests.
3. Theme: Each year, the Indian Navy selects a theme for Navy Day, focusing on issues like maritime security, indigenization, and innovation. The theme for Indian Navy Day 2024 is “Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenisation”. This year’s celebrations will include various events, such as naval parades, ship visits, and exhibitions.
4. Celebrations: The day is celebrated with various events, including naval parades and flypasts, ship visits and exhibitions, seminars and discussions on maritime security and social media campaigns and quizzes.
5. Indian Navy’s Role: The Indian Navy plays a crucial role in protecting India’s maritime trade and commerce, safeguarding the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and participating in international maritime operations and exercises.
6. Modernisation: The Indian Navy is undergoing rapid modernisation, with a focus on indigenisation of shipbuilding and equipment, acquisition of advanced submarines, aircraft carriers, and warships and development of maritime infrastructure and logistics.
7. International cooperation: The Indian Navy engages in international cooperation through bilateral and multilateral exercises with foreign navies, participation in international maritime organisations and forums and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
8. The Navy has decided to showcase at least 24 ships, submarines, and more than 40 aircraft at this year’s event with support from Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and personnel from the Indian Army.
9. The highlight of the Navy Day 2024 is likely to be anticipated aerial manoeuvres by MiG-29K and Hawk fighter jets, combat exercises by MARCOS, demonstrations of submarine operations, amphibious landings, and rocket firing from warships.
10. The Eastern Naval Command Band will perform the traditional Beating the Retreat Ceremony in the evening, followed by a precision drill, and a drone-and-laser show.
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