Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking at the 'Navy Day 2023' Celebrations event In Maharashtra's Sindhudurg on Monday said, "With pride in our heritage, I am proud to announce that the ranks in the Indian Navy would be renamed according to the Indian culture. We are also working on increasing women power in our defence forces. I want to congratulate the Navy for appointing the country's first woman commanding officer on a naval ship."
PM Modi also unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort and paid homage to the rich maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who constructed several coastal and sea forts, including the Sindhudurg Fort.
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The Maratha empire founder's seal inspired the new naval ensign that was adopted last year when PM Modi commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj knew the importance of the power of the sea: PM Modi
At the 'Navy Day 2023' celebrations, PM Modi said, "My greetings to all the members of the Navy family... I am fortunate to extend greetings of the Navy Day from this Sindhudurg Fort... Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj knew the importance of the power of the sea... His slogan meant, 'The one who can control the sea is the most powerful."
"Indian Navy is working hard to make India a developed nation till 2047"
Chief Of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, while speaking on the occasion said, "The PM commissioned our indigenous aircraft carrier last year and the new insignia of the Navy was also unveiled... The new insignia is inspired by the royal seal of Shivaji Maharaj... 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 of his important message... Indian Navy is working hard to make India a developed nation till 2047... The Navy is committed to National security and fulfilling the expectations of the nation..."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also addressed Navy personnel on the occasion and said, "A decade ago, it was believed that the threats faced by the country are 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. We are making the Indian Navy a blue water Navy from coastal navy."
