New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the celebration of Indian Navy Day at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra on December 4, 2023. On the occasion he also unveiled the 43-feet statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort.

Addressing the gathering PM Modi said, “My greetings to all the members of the Navy family. I am fortunate to extend greetings on Navy Day from this Sindhudurg Fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj knew the importance of the power of the sea. His slogan read, The one who can control the sea is the most powerful,” he 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. The world is seeing the rise of a Vishwa Mitra (friend of the world) in India”, the Prime Minister said while referring to various rescue operations carried out by the Indian Navy for neighbouring countries in the recent past.

 

The Prime Minister also witnessed operational demonstrations by Indian Navy’s ships and Special Forces. Lamenting that it was the maritime power of India that first came under attack by foreign powers, the Prime Minister said that India, which was famous for making boats and ships, lost control of the sea and thereby lost strategic-economic strength. As India is moving towards development, the Prime Minister emphasised regaining the lost glory and highlighted the government’s unprecedented impetus to the Blue Economy.

 

He mentioned the port-led development under the Sagarmala initiative and said that India is moving towards harnessing the full potential of its oceans under the Maritime Vision. He informed that the government has made new rules to promote merchant shipping, leading to the number of seafarers in India increasing by more than 140 per cent in the last nine years.

 

PM Modi also said that the nation is moving forward, leaving the mentality of dependence behind due to the inspiration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The PM announced government’s decision to erase colonial military lineage by stating that, “ranks in the Indian Navy would be renamed to reflect Indian culture. Besides that, epaulettes worn by Naval officers would now carry the symbol of Shivaji Maharaj’s army. I had the opportunity to connect the Naval flag with the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I also want to congratulate the Navy for appointing the country’s first woman commanding officer Prerana Deosthali as the commanding officer of INS Trinkat based in Goa,” he said.

 

Reiterating Shivaji Maharaj’s acclamation that those who have control over the seas hold the ultimate power, the PM noted he had drafted a powerful navy. He also bowed before warriors like Kanhoji Angre, Mayaji Naik Bhatkar and Hiroji Indulkar, to insist they remain an inspiration even today.

 

Emphasising that people have defeated the politics of pessimism and have vowed to move ahead in every field, PM Modi said, “This vow will take us towards a developed India. This vow will bring back the pride that this country deserves. The history of India is not just the 1000-year-old slavery, defeat and disappointment. The history of India is of victory, bravery, knowledge, science, art and our naval expertise.”

 

Addressing the Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “A decade ago, it was believed that the threats faced by the country were only land-based. And the Navy was not given much importance. But when PM Modi came to power, he rose above this limited mentality and focused on the Navy, along with the Army and the Air Force. Today, the Indian Navy is moving towards indigenisation rapidly.”

 

“A few months ago, the first indigenous aircraft carrier was commissioned by PM Modi. Earlier, most equipment used to be imported, but now we have become a builder Navy from the buyer Navy,” he added.

 

On the occasion, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji had the foresight to invest in sea power. The PM commissioned our indigenous aircraft carrier last year and the new insignia of the Navy was also unveiled. The royal seal of Shivaji Maharaj inspires the new insignia. After 300 years of subjugation, Chhatrapati Shivaji carved out ‘Swarajya’. He had the foresight to invest in sea power. Sindhudurg Fort here is the testament to his important message, that is one who controls the seas is powerful,” the Navy Chief said.

 

Adding that the Indian Navy is working hard to make India a developed nation till 2047, Navy Chief R Hari Kumar said, “We are moving forward. December 4, 1971, gives us inspiration when our missile boats destroyed the Karachi harbour in an operation. The Navy is committed to national security and fulfilling the expectations of the nation.”