Indian Navy Day is annually observed across India on December 4th to recognise the role and achievements of the Indian Navy in ensuring the safety of the nation.
- The day also commemorates the Operation Trident, Indian Navy’s offensive operation conducted during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.
Note: The Indian Navy is a well-balanced 3-dimensional force, capable of operating above, on, and under the surface of the oceans and safeguarding our national interests.
History of Navy Day:
i.On 21 October 1944, the Royal Indian Navy celebrated Navy Day for the first time.
From 1945 onwards, after World War II (WW-II) , Navy Day was celebrated on 1 December.
ii.In due course and until 1972, Navy Day was celebrated on 15 December, and the week in which 15 December fell was observed as Navy Week.
iii.At the Senior Naval Officers Conference in May 1972, it was decided that Navy Day would be celebrated on 4th December to commemorate the successful actions of the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal during the Indo-Pakistan War, and Navy Week would be observed from 1 to 7 December.
About Operation Trident:
i.Operation Trident was an offensive operation launched by the Indian Navy on the night of 4–5 December 1971 on Pakistan’s naval headquarters (PNHQ) (port city) of Karachi.
- Operation Trident saw the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region and inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities.
ii.Indian Navy fleet entered Pakistani waters through Gujarat’s Okha Port and targeted Minesweeper Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Muhafiz, resulting in the demise of 33 Pakistani sailors.
iii.India did not suffer any loss during the operation or report any casualty during the mission-making Operation Trident.
- To commemorate this great victory every year on December 4, India celebrates Navy Day.
2023 Events:
On December 4, 2023, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi attended the celebration of Indian Navy Day at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. He also unveiled the 43-feet Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at Rajkot Fort, in Maharashtra.
- This was the Indian Navy’s first mega show being hosted away from any major naval station.
Note: Maratha Emperor (17th century) Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhonsle known as the Father of the Indian Navy, is commonly credited for laying the foundations of the Indian Navy.
Events:
i.The celebration also featured operational demonstrations by warships, submarines, aircraft, and special forces from Sindhudurg’s Tarkarli Beach.
ii.20 warships and 40 aircraft, including MiG 29K and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy, and an assault demo by the Marine Commandos of the Indian Navy participated in the event.
iii.The other highlights included a performance by the Naval Band, a continuity drill, and a hornpipe dance by the Sea Cadet Corps.
iv.The event culminated with the illumination of ships at anchorage, followed by a laser show at Sindhudurg Fort.
Note: Navy Day at Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra, signifies the decentralization of flagship ceremonial events, showcasing coordination among the 3 services beyond Delhi.
Indian Navy Week 2023:
i.It is annually observed across India from December 1 to 7.
ii.As part of Navy Week 2023 and ahead of Navy Day 2023, a visit of school children to ships and air squadrons and a Naval exhibition was conducted at the Southern Naval Command (SNC) from 20 to 21 Nov 2023 at a Naval Base in Kochi, Kerala.
iii.As part of Navy Week 2023, the 6th edition of Indian Oil WNC Navy Half Marathon 2023 was held on 19 Nov 2023 at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, Maharashtra as part of the activities commemorating Navy Day.
iv.A Blood Donation Camp was conducted by the Indian Naval Hospital Ship (INHS) Asvini on 22 Nov 2023 in Maharashtra.
About Indian Navy:
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral R. Hari Kumar
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Motto– Sham No Varunah
