Puri: With 63 ships being built in India, the Navy’s single-minded focus to be an Atmanirbhar force by 2047 provides inspiration to all to pursue innovation in Mission Mode, President Droupadi Murmu said here today.
Speaking at the Navy Day celebration here at the Blue Flag beach, the President said India’s geography has endowed us with all elements necessary to be a great maritime nation. A long coastline, island territories, seafaring population and developed maritime infrastructure encouraged India’s maritime activities along the coast and across the oceans from more than 5,000 years ago.
“We were among the pioneers in oceanic transport. Our shipbuilding prowess and ability to harness the monsoon wind patterns enabled us to dominate the seaborne trade,” she said.
With a glorious maritime heritage and history to look back upon and a future full of promise to look forward to, India has always been a strong maritime nation – our fortunes, glory and identity being defined by the seas, Shrimati Murmu said.
As India’s economy grows and our interests and influence expand across the globe, she was confident that the Indian Navy will continue to ensure maritime security, essential to enable our rise to a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The President complimented the Navy for choosing Puri as the venue for today’s events. Puri’s rich maritime past is linked to the ancient territorial sub-division of Kalinga which included much of present-day Odisha. Ancient Kalinga had vibrant maritime linkages and extensive shipbuilding activities to supplement the flourishing trade, she pointed out.
That glorious past is going to be reflected into the future that is taking shape here in Odisha at INS Chilka, where young boys and girls from across the country train to become Agniveers in the service of the Navy, she further said.
Over the last year, the Navy has been at the forefront of all operational activities in the region – ensuring safety of seafarers and security of maritime trade, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, while thwarting illegal drug trafficking at sea that funds terrorist activities that endanger our national security.
The seamless integration of advanced technology, tactical acumen and sheer courage on display today aptly showcase the evolution of our Navy into a combat-ready, future-ready and credible force, she added.
The President also lauded the Navy’s pioneering efforts in providing appropriate growth avenues to ‘Nari Shakti’ are especially praiseworthy. The Navy was the first service to induct women Agniveers and continues to ensure that ‘All Ranks and All Roles’ including combat functions are available to all women.
In fact, two women naval officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa, provide the best example of this new paradigm, as they circumnavigate the globe in INSV Tarini as part of the ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama II’, she said.
“India is grateful to you and every Indian salutes you for serving the nation with honour and courage. As your Supreme Commander, I am proud of each one of you for your professionalism, passion and patriotism which was on display here moments ago,” Murmu added.
The President along with Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries witnessed the Operational Demonstration conducted by the Indian Navy at the Puri beach.