New Delhi: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, once said, “To be secure on land, we must be supreme at sea.” This famous quote reminds us that India is primarily a maritime nation. A strong navy is an important element of every maritime nation.
India celebrates Navy Day every December 4. On this day, let us look at some interesting facts about the Indian Navy, from its motto to its biggest aircraft.
Interesting facts about the Indian Navy
In times of trouble and natural disasters like floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes, the Navy is often called to help with rescue and relief operations.
Indian Navy Day is celebrated on December 4 every year. This day marks the successful execution of Operation Trident, an attack on the Pakistani naval headquarters in Karachi in 1971.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha emperor, is known as the ‘Father of the Indian Navy.’ Early on, he built a strong Maratha navy and recognised the importance of naval power. His efforts helped protect the Konkan coast from foreign invaders like the Dutch, Portuguese, and British, as well as pirates. Shivaji Maharaj constructed naval forts at Jaigarh, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and various other places.
The motto of the Indian Navy is “Sham No Varunaḥ”, which means “May the lord of the water (Varuna) be auspicious to us.”
The Royal Indian Navy served British India and, later, independent India. When India became independent in 1947, part of the Royal Indian Navy went to Pakistan, and the remaining forces were named the Indian Navy in 1950.
The naval branch of India began in 1612 when the East India Company was established. It was renamed the Indian Navy on January 26, 1950, after the country gained independence.
India’s Naval Air Arm is the oldest in Asia. It started on May 11, 1953, as the Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 550. Since then, it has become a strong force with various types of aircraft and helicopters.
Navy Day does not celebrate the founding of the Indian Navy. Instead, it marks the day the Indian Navy successfully carried out Operation Trident in 1971.
The Navy’s first involvement in a conflict was during the 1961 annexation of Goa, which included Operation Vijay against the Portuguese Navy.
INS Arihant is India’s first home-built nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles. This submarine is an important step for India in strengthening its nuclear defence. Its ability to operate stealthily and provide strategic strike options improves India’s ability to deter threats.
The INS Vikrant was the first aircraft carrier in Asia after World War II. It was decommissioned in 1997 and played a significant role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
The Indian Navy’s largest ship, INS Vikramaditya, is one of the biggest aircraft carriers in the world. This modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier measures 283.5 metres long and entered service in 2013.
The Indian Navy works with other countries through joint exercises and collaborations. This helps improve teamwork and build goodwill with maritime nations around the world. Exercises like Malabar, Varuna, and SIMBEX focus on enhancing regional maritime security and stability.
The Marine Commandos, known as MARCOS, are some of the best special forces in the world. They specialise in combat diving and the fight against terrorism.
In this article, let us look at interesting facts about the Indian Navy, from its motto to its origins under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to its modern-day nuclear submarine. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
