The Indian Navy (IN) commemorated its 49th Navy Day on Friday, the 04th of Dec 2020. On this day, the Indian Navy pays tribute to the sacrifices made by its personnel and celebrates victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. The Navy Day commemorates the launch of ‘Operation Trident’ on 04 Dec 20, during which a historic attack was carried out by IN Missile Boats on Karachi.
The devastating attack carried out at night crippled the Pakistan Navy, its mercantile economy and wiped out its strategic fuel reserves, without any casualties on the Indian side. Accordingly, the date is celebrated as the Navy Day and the ensuing Week as Navy Week.
The year 2020 has been unprecedented on many counts. COVID-19 has
altered the fundamental rules for global interaction, whilst cross-border provocations have precipitated regional tensions. However, the IN has weathered these challenges and emerged stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future.
The Navy Week at Kolkata normally includes various activities such as Port
visit by warships, Navy Band Concerts, Press Conference, Public interaction and social service activities. However, due to the pandemic, all such events have had to be cancelled in view of health and safety concerns, and only ‘Non-Contact’ means of publicity are being undertaken.
In order to commemorate the day, a wreath laying ceremony was undertaken at the Lascar War Memorial at Hastings, Kolkata in the early hours of 4th December, with Captain N Hariharan, Chief Staff Officer laying floral tributes on behalf of the Naval Officer-in-Charge, West Bengal and allied Naval units at Kolkata. The solemn occasion was marked by a two-minute silence in memory of the departed Naval warriors.
In keeping with the ‘Non-Contact’ protocol, numerous public hoardings, both digital as well as printed, have been put up at prominent locations and public thoroughfares all around Kolkata, highlighting the Navy Day and career opportunities for men and women in the Indian Navy. In addition, Doordarshan Kolkata telecasted a documentary on the Indian Navy and INS Netaji Subhas and All India Radio ‘Rainbow’ FM hosted a live chat show on 04 Dec 20.
On the occasion, the Chief of Naval Staff and Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief Eastern Naval Command presented awards and commendations to personnel who have rendered worthy service. A small event was conducted at the Naval Base at Kolkata, with due adherence to COVID precautions, to give away these awards and commendations to eligible Naval personnel and Defence civilians.
The Navy has announced its theme for 2020 as ‘Combat Ready, Credible and Cohesive’. This follows in the wake of the theme’s for 2018 and 2019, which were ‘Mission-deployed and Combat-ready’ and ‘Silent, Strong and Swift’ respectively. The theme for 2020, reflects the readiness of the Navy to respond to any threat from the sea, and its ability to deliver a credible and cohesive response.
