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 Operation Trident, Indian Navy’s offensive operation conducted during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.
- The theme for 2024 is “Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenization”.
History:
i.On May 1, 1830, the East India Company came under British control and was granted combatant status, becoming the Indian Navy. In 1858, it was renamed “Her Majesty’s Indian Navy.”
- Navy Day was first celebrated on October 21, 1944.
ii.Since 1972, it has been observed on December 4 to commemorate the successful naval operations during the 1971 war, including the missile attack on Karachi harbor, as well as to honor the sacrifices of war martyrs.
- Initially, Navy Day was celebrated on 15 December, with Navy Week observed in the same week. In 1972, it was decided to celebrate Navy Day on 4 December, marking the Navy’s role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, with Navy Week observed from 1 to 7 December.
About Operation Trident:
i.During the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, the Indian Navy launched a counter-attack on Karachi Harbour.
ii.This operation marked the first use of anti-ship missiles by India, resulting in the destruction of the Pakistani destroyer, PNS Khaibar.
iii.The attack involved three Indian Navy warships: INS Nipat, INS Nirghat, and INS Veer, which played a key role in the operation.
iv.The operation earned several gallantry awards, including the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest gallantry award for the operation’s commandant, Commander (and later Commodore) BB Yadav.
2024 Events:
On December 4, 2024, the Navy Day celebrations took place in Puri,Odisha with President Droupadi Murmu as the chief guest.
- Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, the Chief of Naval Staff hosted the event.
- The ceremony featured a grand display of the Indian Navy’s technological advancements and operational capabilities, reaffirming its critical role in safeguarding India’s maritime borders.
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.
About Indian Navy:
i.The Indian Navy is led by the President of India, who serves as its Supreme Commander.
- The motto is “Sam no Varunah” (शं नो वरूण:) meaning that the God of water, Varuna, should bless and protect us.
ii.One of the Navy’s earliest significant operations was its role in liberating Goa from Portuguese rule in 1961. Over the years, the Navy has grown into a formidable force with the development of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Indian Naval Ship (INS) Arihant, along with several other advanced ships.
iii.The Indian Navy operates one aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, a former Russian vessel commissioned in 2013. It also operates three classes of submarines: Chakra (which includes the nuclear-powered INS Chakra), Sindhughosh, and Shishumar.
iv.In 2021, the Indian Navy began sea trials for its Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) 1, INS Vikrant, marking an important milestone in its development.
v.The Indian Navy’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS) are its elite special forces.They were among the first responders during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
About Indian Navy (Nautical Army of Volunteer Yeomen):
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
Headquarters– New Delhi
Established-1950
