The armed forces of India are divided into three groups as Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. The Naval branch of this armed force is called the Indian Navy. In honor of the soldiers of the Indian Navy, their gallant operations, and martyrs, we observe Navy Day of India every year on the 4th of December. Navy Day is an event to be observed on the national level, so people belonging to every age, religion, community, and region observe the occasion to pay their share of tribute to the great warriors of the nation.
Navy Day 2020
The year 2020 is very special in the view of military achievements. The Indian armed forces have successfully conducted many major operations this year and also some of the previous years. Because of it, they are worth to be honored, and the martyrs should be remembered and paid homage.
This year, the nation is going to observe Navy day on the specified date that is falling on Friday. Since the Indian Navy has always served the nation, it is our chance to show what we can do for them. Participation of each and every individual in the observation will inspire the soldiers to show their bravery in the operations. The theme for the Navy Day 2020 has not yet been declared by the authority. However, we will inform you about it as soon as we come to know about the theme for this year.
History
The Indian Navy has served the country on the strength of both its capability and skill during war and peace and has carried out many operations successfully.
One of the Indian Navy’s greatest achievements is the ‘Operation Trident’, in memory of which, we observe Navy Day every year on the 4th of December. Operation Trident had started in the year 1971, at the mid-night of 4 and 5 December. It was a dispute between India and Pakistan over the refugees that were leaving East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) because of unfavorable conditions there.
Pakistan was not ready to provide these refugees with a shelter which caused fraction and led to a war between both the nations. Although all the branches of the Indian Defence Services participated in the war, the performance of the Indian Navy was prodigious. Finally, the result of this operation was in favor of India. Although it was a happy ending, India had lost many brave soldiers by the end of the war.
In memory of the victory of Operation Trident and to pay homage to all the martyrs of the war, we observe Navy Day every year on the 4th of December.
Activities/Celebration
Navy Day of India is observed every year with a new and different theme each year. This theme is selected in such a way that can represent our Indian Navy and also can motivate it to perform with bravery all the time.
Navy Day holds a grand celebration in India. Navy Day is the last day of Navy Week to be observed weekly in a year. On the day, the Navy ships, arms, and ammunition are opened for students and children to visit, see, observe, and learn. There are also exhibitions organized in many places in India, like Schools, Colleges, and other organizations, where the pictures of Army ships, vehicles, and weapons are displayed, together with the pictures of the brave soldiers and martyrs.
The observation of the day starts with paying tribute to the martyrs of Operation Trident at Ramakrishna Beach at East Coast of the Bay of Bengal in Visakhapatnam. The Navy students and staff organize various programmes and activities as a victory of Operation Trident. Including it, they also conduct many other programmes.
The citizens of India observe the day over various social media platforms by sharing pictures and videos related to the Indian Navy and salute them for their bravery. They also pay tribute to the martyrs over there.
Objectives and Significance
Navy is one of the few most important annual events of the Indian calendar. The objective of observing the day is to tell the world about the victories that the Indian Navy has achieved throughout history. This day is also celebrated to keep the martyrs alive in the hearts of the people so that the nation can know how capable its Indian Navy is. Also by displaying the ships and ammunitions for the people, the Indian Navy gives a chance to the nation to experience the Indian Navy from very close.
From our busy lives, this is the day when we get a chance to express our love, respect, and tribute to the soldiers of the Indian Navy and the martyrs of Operation Trident and other such operations and wars. It feels us with a sense of patriotism and nationalism and unites every Indian, forgetting their religions and communities.
Previous Year’s Theme of Navy Day
Navy Day in India is observed every year with a theme. We have listed below the themes for some of the previous years.
- The theme for 2019 – ‘Indian Navy – Silent, Strong and Swift’
- The theme for 2018 – ‘Indian Navy, Mission – Deployed and Combat Ready’
- The theme for 2015 – ‘Indian Navy – Ensuring Secure Seas for a Resurgent Nation’
- The theme for 2014 – ‘Indian Navy – Ensuring Secure Seas for a Resurgent Nation’
- The theme for 2012 – ‘Indian Navy – Maritime Power for National Prosperity’
- The theme for 2008 – ‘Reaching Out to Maritime Neighbours’
Operation Trident
Under Operation Trident, the war between India and Pakistan started due to the problem of refugees coming to India from East Pakistan in large numbers. On 3 December 1971, the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi declared war on Pakistan when Pakistan said that these refugees were the problem of India. All three parts of the Indian Defence Services participated in the war, but it was the first time when the Navy had used an anti-ship missile to attack the ship.
On December 4, 1971, the Indian Navy attacked the Karachi Naval Base and decimated several ships of Pakistan, including an ammunition supply ship. Three ships of Pakistan were destroyed together with an Oil Tanker Ship. Indian Navy’s ‘INS Khukri’ (Submarine) was also submerged, carrying about 176 naval personnel and 18 officers. It made the Navy more alert and aggressive, and it started keeping an eye on the Pakistani Army with small aircraft, which made it easy to see Pakistani ships up to 60 kilometers.
Despite the low range of radar of Indian Navy Ships and the low fuel capacity, the Indian Navy fought with courage and excellence and attacked the missile fitted ships very close to the Karachi Port. The attack devastated the Pakistani Navy submarine, PNS Ghazi. It was the biggest success of the Indian Navy, as PNS Ghazi was leased from the US by Pakistan and was the first submarine to reach the Bay of Bengal by covering the distance of 11,000 nautical miles.
Operation Trident, led by Naval Chief Admiral Ram, lasted for 7 days under the supervision of 25th Squadron Commander Babru Bhan Yadav. As soon as the operation was over, Indian naval officer Vijay Jerath sent the message, “For Peagons, happy in the Nest, Rejoining’. To this he got the answer, ‘We have not seen a good Diwali till date, for destruction from F15’. With the victory of the Indian Navy in this battle fought in the Arabian Sea, there was a partial naval blockade on Pakistan. Naval Day was observed every year on 4 December to commemorate the Indian Navy’s victory over the Pakistani Navy in the 1971 war.
Conclusion
Many events fall in a year in India but very few of them unite the entire nation to stand on a single platform and celebrate together. Navy Day of India is one of them. We all should participate in the activities to be held on the day and never miss a chance to the observe Indian Navy closely. We can also participate in the celebration by following social media platforms on the day. It is about our nation, and our interest in observing the day shows how patriotic we are.