VASCO: President of India, Ram Nath Kovind on Monday awarded the President’s Colour to Indian Naval Aviation in recognition of the yeomen service rendered by the Naval Aviation over the years at a function held at INS Hansa, Dabolim.
In a press release issued by Department of Information and Publicity, it stated that the President’s Colour is the highest honour that can be awarded to a military unit in recognition of its remarkable service to the country. Indian Navy had received this honour earlier on May 27, 1951 from India’s first president Dr Rajendra Prasad.
On the occasion aircraft of the Indian Navy carried out a flypast in honour of the President. The President was accorded a 21 guns salute at the Ceremonial Parade.
The President, in his address, recalled the glorious contribution of the Indian Navy towards the service of the country. He said that the Indian Navy has invested significant efforts in meeting all regional commitments furthering diplomatic engagements of the country with friends and partners in the Indo-Pacific.
“Naval aircraft have also been at the forefront of numerous peacetime as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, providing relief not only to countrymen but also to foreign countries,” said the President.
Kovind lauded the efforts of the Indian Navy for boosting the Atma Nirbhar Bharat movement which has been reflected in Navy’s current and future procurement plans. He also appreciated steady progress of Indian Naval Aviation in consonance with ‘Make in India’ movement.
The President also mentioned the progress made in aviation technology, facilitation of state of the art indigenous weapons, sensors and data suites for Naval aircraft.
The President’s colour consists of a 36×48 inch white Ensign with the National flag in the canton and the State emblem embroidered in gold at the centre. The elephant signifying strength is placed in the canton diagonally opposite the National flag.
The function was attended by the Governor of Goa, PS Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, Minister for Protocol Mauvin Godinho, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief Secretary Parimal Rai, other senior officers of State, Central Government and Naval Officers.
Indian Navy motorcycle expedition flagged off
Vasco: The Indian Navy is holding a motorcycle expedition from Karwar to New Delhi. The expedition which was flagged off today will conclude on Oct 3.
The expedition titled ‘Swarnim Vijay Abhiyaan’ is part of Swarnim Vijay Varsh and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and coincides with the presentation of President’s Colour to Naval Aviation.
According to the Indian Navy, over 50 naval personnel are taking part in various legs of the expedition on 11 bikes and two support vehicles. The ride will cover a distance of 6000 km from Karwar to New Delhi while visiting various launch pads of 1971 campaigns on the western front. During the ride, the expedition team will interact with cadets and staff at National Defence Academy, Sainik Schools at Satara, Balachadi, Kapurthala and Kunjpura and Rashtriya Military School, Chail. The team will visit naval units at Lonavla, Porbandar and Jamnagar in addition to various establishments of Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
The expedition was flagged off from INS Vikramaditya by Rear Admiral DK Goswami, Admiral Superindentent of Naval Ship Repair Yard, Karwar.
