NAVY DAY 2023 FESTIVITIES
Navy Day is celebrated in many countries to recognize their Navies. 04 Dec is India’s Navy Day, the Day 52 years ago, when 3 Vidyut class missile boats and 2 Kamorta class corvettes silently crept into Pak waters and created mayhem for the enemy ships before setting ablaze the Port of Karachi, in what can genuinely be remembered as the finest hour of our great Indian Navy.
BACK-TRACKING IN TIME
Lets flash back in Time, 52 yrs ago, the Day our Fine Indian navy inflicted heavy casualities on Pakistan, who initiated the 1971 war on the previous day....It was the Day, 3 Vidyut class Missile boats escorted by 2 Arnala class Corvettes dared to enter Pak territorial waters to fire Styx SSMs (first time in the Region) to create havok for the Enemy on the midnight of 04/ 05 Dec....
INS Nirghat, under the command of Cmde IJ Sharma, AVSM, VrC sank the cruiser destroyer PNS Khaibar, loitering West of Karachi with 222 sailors on board by firing 2 styx missiles in quick succession.
INS Nipat fired its missiles on MV Venus Challenger and its escort PNS Shah Jahan (former HMS Charity), a C-class destroyer. Venus Challenger carrying ammunition for the Pakistani forces, immediately exploded as the missile hit, and eventually sunk 40 km south of Karachi. The other missile targeted for Shah Jahan damaged the ship very badly. INS Nipat continued towards Karachi, and targeted the Kemari oil storage tanks, placing itself 14 nmi (26 km; 16 mi) south of the Karachi harbour. Of the two missiles fired, one misfired, and the other hit the oil tanks. The tanks got burnt and destroyed completely, causing heavy loss to the Pakistan Navy.
INS Veer targeted PNS Muhafiz, an Adjutant-class minesweeper sinking it with 33 sailors on board.
After the mahem, the flotilla returned victorious ....A number of Indian Navy personnel were honoured with gallantry awards for the operation.
‘Operation Python’, a follow-up to Operation Trident, was the code name of a naval attack launched 4 days later on the night of *8/9 December* 1971. A strike group consisting of one missile boat INS Vinash and two frigates INS Talwar and Trishul attacked the group of ships off the coast of Karachi. While India suffered no losses, Pakistani fleet tanker PNS Dacca was damaged beyond repair, and the Kemari Oil Storage facility was lost. Two other foreign ships stationed in Karachi were also sunk during the attack.
While the Navy on Western Coast wrecked havoc on Karachi and the ships employed to guard it, another Chapter was being written by INS Vikrant and it's flotilla on the Eastern Front. Vikrant was deployed towards Chittagong at the outbreak of hostilities. On 4 December, the ship's Sea Hawks struck shipping in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar harbours, sinking or incapacitating most of the ships present. Later strikes targeted Khulna and the Port of Mongla, which continued until 10 December, while other operations were flown to support a naval blockade of East Pakistan. On 14 December, the Sea Hawks attacked the cantonment area in Chittagong, destroying several Pakistani army barracks. Simultaneous attacks by Alizés continued on Cox's Bazar. Waves after waves of daring Top Guns of Sea Hawks and Alizes bombed Dacca, Mongla, Khulna and Cox-Bazar to choke the enemy there*, ultimately forcing the 93,000 strong enemy to surrender for want of any help from West Pakistan.The crew of INS Vikrant earned two Maha Vir Chakras and 12 Vir Chakras
We all are so proud of our valiant veteran brothers who bravely served onboard the ships and made this possible....Today some of them are living Legends in their late 70s, 80s and 90s ....List of MVCs and VrCs is placed below.
*MAHA VIR CHAKRAS (8)*
====================
1. Vice Adm Swaraj Parkash (retd)(CO Vikrant)
2. Rear Adm Santosh Kumar Gupta (retd)
3. Cmde Babru Bahan Yadav (retd) (Trident)
4. Cmde Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao (retd)(Mine sweeping off Karachi)
5. Capt Mohan Narayan Rao Samant (Operation X)
6. P/O Chiman Singh (retd)(Operation X)
7. Cdr Joseph Pius Alfred Noronha (retd)(Panvel)
8. Capt MN Mulla (Khukri)
*VIR CHAKRAS (43)*
=================
1. Adm Laxminarayan Ramdas
2. Adm Vijai Singh Shekhawat
3. Adm Arun Prakash (P)
4. Vice Adm Manohar Pralhad Awati
5. Vice Adm Benoy Roy Chowdhury (EO Vikrant)
6. Vice Adm Rustom Khushro Shapoorjee Ghandhi
7. Rear Adm Sourirajullu Ramsagar
8. Rear Adm Rishi Raj Sood
9. Rear Adm Subir Paul
10. Cmde IJ Sharma (Nirghat)
11. Cdr Bahadur Nariman Kavina(Nipat)
12. LtCdr OP Mehta(Veer)
13. Capt KMV Nair(Trishul)
14. Capt SS Kumar (Talwar)
15. Lt Cdr Vijai Jerath(Vinash)
16. Cmde Padavupurackal Chandy Andrews
17. Cmde Suresh Kumar Sabhlok
18. Cmde Bipinchandra Bhaskar Bhagwat (P)
19. Capt Ashwani Kumar Mehra (P)
20. Capt RD Dhir (P)
21. Cdr Keshar Singh Panwar (P)
22. Lt Cdr Sankar Prasad Ghosh (P)
23. Lt Cdr Raminder Singh Sodhi (P)
24. Lt Cdr Ashok Roy(P)
25. Lt (X) Prem Kumar (P)
26. Cdr Rajinder Singh Grewal (Cdr Air Vikrant)
27. Cdr (X) Roy Joseph Millan
28. Cmde Jagdish Chandra Puri
29. Cdr TS Ashok Kumar
30. Cdr Vijai Prakash Kapil
31. Cdr George Martis
32. Lt Cdr (X) Jayanta Kumar Roy Choudhury
33. LtCdr (X) Joginder Krishan Suri (XO Khukri)
34. Cdr Ommen Mukadavil Ommen (EO Khukri)
35. Lt Cdr (X) Rajat Kumar Sen (Logo Khukri)
36. Surg Lt Sudhansu Sekhar Panda (MO Khukri)
37. Lt Cdr Inder Singh
38. Lt (X) Suresh Kumar Mitter
39. MN Sangal,MCPO (Nirghat)
40. Mughilissery Ouseph Thomachan, CPO
41. Kapallisai Raju, LEMP
42. Ravinder Nath Sharma, POR (Tel).
43. Lt VK Dutta (P)
We pay our tributes to the Warriors who Won the 1971 War and have made all of us Proud. We owe our Navy Day to them.
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ST XAVIER'S GOREGAON CELEBRATES NAVY DAY The Principal of St Xaviers Goregaon, Ms Madhavi Gaonkar invited NFMC Secy, Cdr R Dutta and Meena Dutta for an interactive session with students of Higher Sec as part of Navy Day celebrations in School, on 09 Dec 2023. The motivational session included a talk on Indian Navy’s valour on both fronts during 1971, screening of IN Video clips and QA session. By the end of the interactive session, a large number of students felt motivated to join the Armed Forces. (Photos below)
INDIAN VETERANS CONTINGENT TO BANGLADESH
Cdr Vijay Vadhera, NM(G), President of NFMC was one of the fortunate few to represent India at the Bangladesh Victory Day festivities in Dhaka this year. Says Cdr Vadhera, "To gratefully acknowledge, the role of Indian Armed Forces, in creation of Bangladesh on 16 Dec 1971 , Bangladesh Govt., since 2008, has been inviting 1971 War Veterans from all 3 Indian Defence Forces, to take part in their Victory Day Celebrations, on 16th Dec every year. The other Veterans of Naval Contigent were Surg Cmde Vinod Puri & LCdr Ashok Batra with their good ladies. All the participants (22 from Army, 3 each from AF & Indian Navy) were directed to report at Delhi for mass briefing prior to Flight departure to Dhaka. The team was led by Maj Gen MRS Mann.The delegation was recd by the Defence Attaché, BD Army, GOC commanding Dhaka Area & Indian High Commissioner Officials and put up in Hotel Radisson. Next Day on 15th Dec, we visited Banglabandhu Memorial museum, Liberation War museum & Banglabandhu War museum. At night Dinner was hosted by War Courses Foundation. On Day 3, the Victory day 16th Dec morning, wreaths were laid by PM of BD at National Mausoleum Savar and witnessed by all Veterans. Post lunch a grand reception for Veterans was thrown at Bangabhavan where Veterans got a chance to interact with PM Shaikh Hasina. At night Dinner was hosted by CAS at Army Multipurpose complex. Day 4 on 17th Dec morning , Veterans laid wreath at Shikha Anirban followed by interaction with CAS, CAFS, CNS & Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces division. The night Dinner was thrown by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Day 5 on 18th Dec, we travelled to Mava for boat cruise on Padma River. Night Dinner was hosted by Indian High Commissioner. On the last day on 19th Dec, All Veterans boarded the flight back to Delhi, carrying along a lot of Nostalgic memories and sweet remembrance of our 5 day stay in BD where as State Guests, red carpet welcome was laid by BD Armed Forces & the Government.
FESTIVITIES IN SINDHUDURG The Festivities this year were held differently as Navy decided to carry the festivities into the hinterlands. 04 Dec, was the day when the Naval Operartions were unfolded to the masses at Sindhudurg Fort, where PM Shri Narendra Modi himself witnessed the Valour of our Naval might in various OP DEMOS from close quarters, involving Ship engagements, Marcos Ops, Helo Ops, Flypasts, Para-commando Ops (Videos below)
Inview of Sindhudurg Op Demo on Navy Day, The Beating Retreat at the Gateway of India was postponed to 13/14 Dec. The list of 125 Veterans desiring to witness the BRTC was forwarded to WNC well in advance. Close liaison with Shikra ensured all Veterans and Veer Naris staying in suburbs, received the Cards by speedpost in time. Kudos to Team Shikra.
BEATING RETREAT & TATTOO CEREMONY-2023
Like all previous years, the Veteran couples, Veer naris & spectators for BRTC were courteously ushered in and seated in front of the spacious arena of the gateway of India, by the immaculate uniformed provost staff and young smiling officers from IN establishments Shikra, Kunjali and Angre. The BRTC-2023 commentators brought out the genesis of the ‘Beating Retreat’, when the drum was the principal means of sending out signals to troops engaged in battle. Of the many signals that were conveyed by drum beats, one that was most pleasant for the troops was the ‘Retreat’ that signaled the troops to disengage from combat at Sunset as day light faded. The troops then withdrew to their barracks to tend to their wounds. The present ceremony of having the Band play the ‘Retreat’ is a modern innovation to stir pride amongst our citizens through a spectacular display of our war waging capability with great pomp and show.
While the ‘Retreat’ recalled the troops from the battle area, the ‘Tattoo’ was beating of drums in the billeting areas and ordered troops to proceed to their quarters. Over the years Tattoo has been enriched by folk and contemporary sounds of merriment into its folds.
All roads of Colaba on both days 13 qnd 14 Dec converged to the Gateway starting 4 pm for the most spectacular Naval display of the year, showcasing the prowess of the Sword Arm of the Indian Navy. The first Gallery had been earmarked for Veterans and Veer Naris who had started arriving when we entered. The early Bird prize goes to Cdr Surinder & Gurinder Paul, Capt H Mohanrao, Cmde PC Agrawal, Cdr Manjul Mayank, Cdr Shailendra Sharma, VN Mrs Janki Bhandoola, Cdr-At-Arms SK Patnaik & Atasi, Mrs Anahita Tarapore, Cdr Saurabh Agarwal, who were all in the Kings Gallery. Wished them all a very Happy Navy Day. Soon more Veterans joined in. Meena was all over the seating arena clicking photos of all spectators with her charming smile (Video below). I went fwd to warmly meet and greet Cmde Postwala, Cmde BK Ahluwalia seated ahead with their good ladies.
This evening’s pageantry was a unique amalgamation of various elements exemplifying Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to showcase our maritime traditions. The bonhomie of the Indian styles brought in a sense of Joie de Vivre that defined our collective identity and was visibly evident. The Chief host for the Evening for BRTC 2023 was our C-in-C VAdm Dinesh K Tripathi, AVSM, NM, who received the Chief Guest His Excellency Shri Ramesh Bais, Governor of Maharashtra.
On arrival of the Governer the National Anthem was sung followed by Beating the Retreat Band performance that was in perfect synchro drill. Seakings-42B, Alouettes & ALH in formation displayed Dunking Sonars, and slithering of Marcos followed by the Op Demo by Seaking 42-C, de-inducting the MARCOS, holding onto the slithering rope and lighting the red signal flares. This was followed by Sunset ceremony performed by our glorious Band and the musician Sailor beating the brass pipes on the composition arranged by AC Green, from atop the good old Taj
The ‘Flypast’ by the group of Helos, have a long history and affinity with the parades, are a national pride in Air-shows and imprint themselves on the spectator’s memories. The only Heliport of the Indian Navy, INS Shikra (being commanded by Cmde Venkatesh) is an exclusive abode of Naval Helicopters of the Western Naval Command. Formation of Angels (Chetaks), Harpoons (Seakings), Falcons (Kamov) and the recent induction of ALHs had been an integral part of Flypast over the Gateway of India.
We were then witness to precise maneuvers of the continuity drill performed by a contingent of gunnery sailors of K-22. They performed complex but perfect drills including the exchange of the lit bayonet rifles amongst two rows of sailors facing each other, through which marched their drill GI confidently.
The last glorious event was the Horn pipe dance by the students of the SCC (Sea Cadet Corps). The Sea Cadet Corps was established by Late Hon Cmde GS Ahuja on 13th May 1938 at karachi and relocated to mumbai in 1948, and today brilliantly being commanded by his Son, Cmde(SCC) Rabi Ahuja. SCC is the finest voluntary non-Govt youth organisation of our country. The determination, motivation and drive displayed by these cadets is reflective of our country’s future with renewed hope. Their Boys and Girls band lead both the Veterans Days Parades at Marine Drive on 12 Jan 2020 and 08 Jan 2023. The immaculate dance by SCC cadets was hugely applauded. Bravo Zulu SCC.
The Exit March Jai Bharati was composed and arranged by Director of Music, Cdr Champion. After the spectacular event the contingent performed Salami Shastra with National Anthem, at the culmination of which all Naval ships at Achorage in the outer harbour switched on their silhouette lights in synchro.
The dignitaries were invited for the At Home in C-in-C’s Lawns for meet and greet and delectable drink and snacks. We immediately stepped down to the backdrop of Gateway to be clicked with some of our Veteran friends; Cdr Guddu Sharma, Veer Nari Mrs Janki Bhandoola, Veer Nari Dr Kanta Mukherjee with her beautiful daughter Dr Sonali, Mrs Mukti Ghosh and a few more. Meena and I accompanied Dr Kanta Mukherjee to the Navy House. President NFMC, Cdr Vadhera’s absence due to his Bangladesh invitation trip was noticeable, even as a few Veterans enquired about him. The Governor was among the dignitaries for a fair duration, even as the movie on Indian Navy’s finest hour was being projected on a high screen. It was a pleasure to meet Senior Veteran VAdm RN Ganesh, former DGCG & FOCinC South, who had come from Bangalore. We had the opportunity to meet senior Officers both serving and Veterans (Pics below). I missed to meet VAdm Harinder Singh, who left early. It was an honour to greet our C-in-C and the First Lady Shashi with best wishes on the Navy Day. Also a pleasure to meet senior Veterans VAdm MJ Singh, former FOCinC (West), VAdm Rusi Contractor, former DGCG, VAdm Abhay Karve, former FOCinC (South), VAdm VK Jaitly, RAdm V Balachandran, RAdm RC Kochhar, Cmde BK Ahluwalia, Cmde J Postwala, Cmde RSS Subraminium and other Veterans. It was a surprise to meet a special guest of our CinC, Mr Nitish Bhardwaj (Krishna) of Mahabharata fame. We thanked the C-in-C for a wonderfully organized BRTC, the prime event of the Navy Day, before saying Sayonara.
A Sensational Event of the Navy Week with a spectacular display at BRTC-2023 was indicative of the exceptional efforts of officers and men of the Sword Arm of the Indian Navy, particularly HQWNC, INS Shikra, INS Kunjali, INS Angre, Fleet Ships, K-22 and allied units. Bravo Zulu.
BANGLADESH CONSULATE INVITES VETERANS
In early Dec, the Dep High Commissioner of Bangladesh H.E. Mr Chiranjib Sarker called up Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC, inviting a few Veterans to partake in their Victory Day celebrations at Roof Top of 8 Jolly Maker, Cuffe Parade on the evening of 16 Dec 2023. Ms Pooja Shinde coordinated the event. While Cdr Vadhera was himself in Dhaka on invitation by Govt of Bangladesh, a few Veterans assembled at the Consulate and relished the Cultural extravaganza by dancers of Nrityanjali troop under Dr Tushar Guha, who himself was elegant in his performance. This was followed by Cake cutting and Group Photography. The veterans who took part in the festivities were Cmde NN Rao, Cdr & Mrs Saorabh Agarwal, Cdr & Mrs Dinesh Rai, WgCdr Uday Kolhatkar, Mrs Rekha Malhan, Mrs Anahita Tarapore, Cdr Shailendra Sharma, Cdr & Mrs Ritesh Menon, Cdr Raj & Meena Dutta. The cultural gala was followed by delectable dinner at the Terrace. Even as the visitors interacted with each other in merriment, Meena clicked and captured the glorious moments to edit those for a glance back in footprints of time. We gleefully thanked the DHC for the incredible and amazing evening relished in the Bangladesh consulate premises prior our departure. (Photos below)
Sam No Varunah….
Jai Hind!
(PS- Most snaps and Video clips are the dedicated efforts of Mrs Meena Dutta)
BEATING RETREAT/ AT HOME SNAPS
\MRS GITA KASTURI
ST XAVIERS CELEBRATES NAVY DAY
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