PM Modi Announces Navy Will Name Its Ranks In Line With Indian Traditions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Navy will name its ranks in line with Indian traditions and asserted the country is moving forward abandoning the slavery mentality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday that the Indian Navy will name its ranks in line with Indian traditions. He made the announcement at a Navy Day event held at Malvan in coastal Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.

Modi Hails Appointment of First Woman Officer to Command Naval Ship

The Prime Minister also hailed the appointment of a female officer to command a naval ship for the first time. He said that the Indian Navy is now going to name its ranks in line with Indian traditions.

Modi Lauds Navy's Heritage and Legacy

Modi also declared that epaulettes adorned by naval officers will now highlight the heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He recalled unveiling the Naval ensign last year and said that the legendary Maratha Empire founder knew the importance of naval power for a country and built a strong maritime force during his reign.

India Moving Forward Abandoning Slavery Mentality

Taking inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji, India has left behind the mentality of slavery and racing forward on all fronts, Modi asserted. He said that the trust of 140 crore Indians is the biggest strength as the country is setting big goals and working to achieve them with full determination.

Navy's Role in Safeguarding India's Seas

Modi said that the commitment of navy personnel in safeguarding India's seas is a testament to their unwavering dedication to duty and love for the nation. He also emphasized the government's commitment to increasing the numerical strength of women in the armed forces.

India's Maritime History and Heritage

The Prime Minister highlighted India's rich maritime history and heritage, referring to the Indus Valley civilization port found in Lothal, Gujarat, and the docking of more than 80 ships in the port of Surat. He also credited India's maritime strength for the expansion of trade to countries of South East Asia by the Chola empire.

Regaining Lost Glory and Blue Economy

Modi emphasized the need to regain India's lost maritime glory and highlighted the government's impetus to the Blue Economy. He referred to the port-led development under the Sagarmala project and said that the country is moving towards harnessing the full potential of its oceans under the Maritime Vision programme.

India's Growing Maritime Strength

The Prime Minister said that India is giving unprecedented support to port-led development and merchant shipping. He said that India is moving towards utilizing the potential of its oceans and has become the 5th largest economy in the world from the 10th place in the last 10 years.

Recreating the Lost Spice Route

Modi asserted that measures like the India Middle East European Corridor, announced during the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September, will recreate the lost spice route.

Impressive Demonstration of Navy's Prowess

The Navy deployed an array of its assets, including frontline warships, submarines, aircraft, and helicopters, for the maneuvers. The elite Marcos commandos jumping off from aircraft from a height of 8,000 feet, air show by Navy's air assets, with amber sky in the background and sun setting in the ocean, added to the overall impact of the demonstrations.

Development of Konkan Region

Modi said that the coastal Konkan region is a region of unprecedented possibilities. He mentioned the inauguration of medical colleges in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Alibaug, Parbhani, and Dharashiv, operations of the Chipi airport, and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor connecting till Mangaon Raigad district.

Navy Day Celebrations

Every year, December 4 is celebrated as Navy Day to acknowledge the role of the maritime force and commemorate its achievements in Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.