Navy Day (India)

Navy Day in India is celebrated on 4 December every year to recognize the achievements and role of the Indian Navy to the country. 4 December was chosen as on that day in 1971, during Operation Trident, the Indian Navy sank four Pakistani vessels including PNS Khaibar, killing hundreds of Pakistani Navy personnel.[1][2] On this day, those who martyred in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 are also remembered.[3]

Beating Retreat and Tattoo ceremony on Navy day 2018.

Navy Day
The three chiefs paying homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti on Navy Day 2015
StatusActive
Date(s)4 December
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Pan-India
CountryIndia
Next event4 December 2019
Theme for 2019 is:
Indian Navy - Silent, Strong and Swift
A demonstration by MARCOS during Navy day 2018.

During the days leading up to Navy Day, during Navy Week and the days prior to that, various events take place such as an open sea swimming competition, ships are open for visitors and school children, there is a veteran sailors lunch, performances by the Naval Symphonic Orchestra take place, an Indian Navy Inter School Quiz Competition happens, a Navy Half Marathon as well as an air display for school children and the beating retreat and tattoo ceremonies happen.[4][5]

Overview

Background

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces and is led by the President of India as Commander-in-Chief. The Maratha Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj Bhonsle of the 17th century is considered as "Father of the Indian Navy".

The Indian Navy has an important role in securing the marine borders of the country as well as enhancing the international relations of India through seaport visits, joint exercises, humanitarian calamity relief and so on. The modern Indian Navy has as undergone speedy renovation in order to improve its position in the Indian Ocean region. The strength of the Indian Navy includes over 67,000 personnel and about 150 ships and submarines.[6][7]

Reason for celebrating Navy Day

Navy Day in India originally coincided with the Royal Navy's Trafalgar Day. In 1944, the Royal Indian Navy celebrated Navy Day in October, the month of its commissioning in 1944. In 1945, after World War 2, Navy Day was celebrated on 1 December. On the night of 30 November 1945, on the eve of the Navy Day celebrations, Indian ratings painted the slogans such as Inqualab Zindabad.[8] But the old traditions of the British Navy gave way to new reasons to celebrate the day.[8]

Navy Day in India is now celebrated to commemorate Operation Trident,[9] which was the attack on the Karachi harbor during the Indo-Pakistan war (on 4 December 1971) by the Indian Naval Missile boats as well in to reverence all the martyrs of that war. During the attack, Indian sailors communicated in Russian to avoid detection. No Indian sailors were killed in the attack.[10][11]

Aerial view of celebrations on Navy Day 2014

Various events take place during Navy Week with the finale on Navy Day. On this day the warships and aircraft of the Indian Navy are open to visitors such as school children.[4] The Military Photo Exhibition is also performed by photojournalists of the Ernakulum in the Navy fest.[12] Other events such as blood donation camps are also held.[13] A community service for the Indian Navy is conducted by the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology (NIAT) at Good Hope Old Age Home, Fort Kochi in which the students from the Navy Children School Chair take turns to entertain the inmates and Naval doctors (from INHS Sanjivani) provides medical checkup to the inmates. The Navy Ball and Navy Queen contests including the Navy fest are held to celebrate Navy Day.[14]

Themes

It is celebrated using a particular theme (like "Safe Seas and Secure Coasts for a strong Nation") of the year:

  • Theme of 2019 is "Indian Navy - Silent, Strong and Swift".[15]
  • Theme of 2018 was "Indian Navy, Mission-deployed and Combat-ready".[16]
  • Theme of 2015 was "Indian Navy – Ensuring Secure Seas for a Resurgent Nation."
  • Theme of 2014 was "Indian Navy – Ensuring Secure Seas for a Resurgent Nation."
  • Theme of 2012 was "Indian Navy – Maritime Power for National Prosperity".
  • Theme of 2008 was "Reaching Out to Maritime Neighbours".
  • The Gateway of India during Navy Day 2018.
  • Russian Navy band at Navy Day 2019.
  • Indian Navy drill team during Navy Day 2019.
  • Indian Navy personnel rappelling down the Gateway of India
  • MARCOS slithering down from a helicopter at Navy Day 2019.
  • Fire works and ships in the background on Navy Day 2014
  • People visiting INS vessels as a part of Navy Day 2015 celebrations
  • A flypast at Navy Day 2019.

References
  1. "Here's the story behind Navy Day - 4th of December". The Economic Times. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  2. Mehta, Sulogna (26 November 2016). "Naval ships showcase their strength during Day at Sea". The Times of India.
  3. "Here's Why December 4 Is Celebrated As The Navy Day In India". Outlook India. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  4. "Western Naval Command | Navy Week - 2019 Activities". Indian Navy. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  5. "Navy Day 2015 Celebrations-Open Sea Swimming Competition". Indian Navy. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  6. Ram, Sruthee (4 December 2017). "Navy Day: Here's a quick look at the Indian Navy today". The Hindu. The Hindu Net Desk. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  7. "FAQs - Department of Defence". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  8. Sharma (Retd), Lt Cdr G. D. (14 April 2015). Untold Story 1946 Naval Mutiny: Last War of Independence. New Delhi: Vij Books India Pvt Ltd - Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, United Services Institution of India. pp. 49–52. ISBN 9789384464554.
  9. Desk, The Hindu Net (4 December 2017). "Navy Day: Here's a quick look at the Indian Navy today". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  10. Goswami, Dev (4 December 2018). "Navy Day: When Russian-speaking Indian sailors destroyed 3 Pakistani ships". India Today. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  11. "Indian Navy Day 2018: Operation Trident, blue-water ambitions and a long way to indigenisation". Firstpost. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  12. Anjitha, S.; MS, Shwetha (28 November 2018). "Capturing souls in action". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  13. "Navy Day- 2018 Celebrations begin with Mega Blood Donation Camp at ENC". Indian Navy. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  14. "Guardians Of The Sea: India Celebrates Navy Day". Prepare for Defence Exams. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  15. "Kochi: Navy Week to honour widows of sailors". The Times of India. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  16. "Chief of Naval Staff, Navy Day Interview 2018". Sainik Samachar. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
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