While congratulating the Indian Navy for appointing India’s first woman commanding officer of the naval ship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pushed for a culture rejig in the ranks of Indian Navy. PM Modi announced that the ranks of the Navy personnel and officers will be renamed as per the Indian culture. During his Navy Day address, PM Modi revealed the plans of the Indian government, which is working on to increase the women’s power in our defence forces.
“With the emotion of feeling pride in our heritage, I am proud to announce that the ranks in the Indian Navy would be renamed as per the Indian culture. We are also working on increasing women’s 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 said addressing the Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg.
PM Modi mentioned the role played by great Indian legend Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and he emphasized on the importance of the naval power. “My greetings to all the members of the Navy family. I am fortunate to extend greetings on 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’,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted his government is committed to increasing the strength of women in the armed forces and said Indian Navy ranks would be renamed according to the country’s culture. Paying tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his vision and warfare strategy, he noted the 17th century Maratha king knew the importance of naval power. The PM was speaking at a Navy Day event held at Malvan in coastal Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, around 500km from Mumbai. The legendary Maratha Empire founder knew the importance of naval power for a country and built a strong maritime force during his reign, said the PM. Taking inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji, India has left behind the mentality of slavery and racing forward on all fronts, he asserted.
Modi maintained today, India is setting bigger targets for itself and utilising its full potential to achieve those goals.
The world is seeing India as a ‘Vishwa Mitra’ (universal friend) the prime minister said. Modi said India is giving an unprecedented support to port-led development. “Merchant shipping is also being encouraged. India is moving towards utilising the potential of its oceans,” he said. Shortly before taking part in the Navy Day event, Modi unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district. Modi later witnessed ‘operational demonstration’ conducted by Indian Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and Special Forces from the Tar Karli beach.
“We are emphasising on increasing the number of women in the armed forces,” he said. Modi lauded the Navy following the announcement that a woman officer would be commanding a Naval ship for the time. He said ranks in the Indian Navy would be renamed according to the Indian culture. Modi also announced the epaulettes adorned by naval officers will have reflection of Chhatrapati Shivaji, credited for building the country’s first modern Navy.
The legendary Maratha Empire founder knew the importance of naval power for a country and built a strong maritime force during his reign, said the PM. Taking inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji, India has left behind the mentality of slavery and racing forward on all fronts, he asserted. Modi maintained today, India is setting bigger targets for itself and utilising its full potential to achieve those goals. The world is seeing India as a ‘Vishwa Mitra’ (universal friend) the prime minister said.