NAVY DAY 2024 - BEATING RETREAT

Navy Day is celebrated in many countries to recognize their Navies. 04 Dec is India’s Navy Day, the Day 53 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, 53 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 PNS Shah Jahan damaged the ship very badly. INS Nipat continued towards Karachi, and targeted the Kemari oil storage tanks, placing itself 14 nm (26 km) south of the Karachi harbour. Of the two missiles fired, one misfired, and the other hit the oil tanks. The tanks were in flames 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)*

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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)(Trident)

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)*

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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. Lt VK Dutta (P)

40. MN Sangal, MCPO (Nirghat)(Later Cdr (SD)) 

41. Mughilissery Ouseph Thomachan, CPO

42.  Kapallisai Raju, LEMP

43. Ravinder Nath Sharma, POR (Tel).

 

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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BEATING RETREAT & TATTOO CEREMONY-2024

    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. I along with  Meena and Anuj wheeled out of our Borivali home at 1430 hrs on the D Day  and picked up Mrs Mukti Ghosh from Kandivali and Ms Anuradha Chinchore enroute.  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-2024 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 03 and 04 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. Cmde VB Iyer, CO Shikra greeted us warmly at the entrance. The early Bird prize goes to Master Arjun Bali, Cdr Manjul & Alka, Capt & Mrs SK Patnaik, Capt SV Diwakar & Meera, Cdr Surinder Paul and Gurinder,    Capt HPS Sodhi & Neelu, Cdr & Mrs SD Singh, Cdr & Mrs Pradeep Jain, Cdr Shailendra Sharma & Alka, Mrs Seema Bhagat, Mrs UK Singh with daughter Bhavya  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 (Pics & Video below).

      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 2024 was our C-in-C  VAdm Sanjay Jasjit Singh, AVSM, NM, who received the Chief Guest HE Shri CP Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra.        

            

 On arrival of the Governor 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 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 Iyer) 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. Today incidentally was the Centenary Anniv of the Gateway of India’s inauguration too.

       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 13^th 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 all the three   Veterans Days Parades at Marine Drive on 12 Jan 2020,   08 Jan 2023 and 07 Jan 2024. 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; Mrs Mukti Ghosh,  Cdr Vijay Vadhera with his charming Lady Sunita, Veer Nari Dr Kanta Mukherjee, Mrs Jyoti Punj, Dr Archana Deshmukh, our Ayodhya enthusiast at the Veterans Day Parade  and a few more.   We then walked to the Navy House via a click at the beautiful Navy Day Rangoli decor by Shikra. The Governor was among the dignitaries for a fair duration, even as he smilingly met the Senior Veterans and other guests. It was a pleasure to meet and greet Veteran Adm VS Shekhawat our former CNS along with his Son Cdr Ranvir Shekhawat,  VAdm RF Contractor, VAdm IC Rao, RAdm RC Kochhar, RAdm AR Radhakrishnan and their charming Ladies, Cmde BK Ahluwalia,  LtCdr Farokh Tarapore & Anahita, Cmde NN Rao,  Cmde & Mrs Vimal Kumar, Surg Capt & Mrs KM Shah, Cmde & Mrs OJ Mathur, Capt & Mrs G Jhangiani, Cmde Mike Bhada, Cmde Aspi Marker, Cmde & Mrs JC Bhatia, Cmde & Mrs Sunil Kaushik, Cmde & Mrs Gagan Kaushal,   Cmde & Mrs J Postwala, Capt & Mrs Shivdasani, Wg Cdr Uday Kolhatkar, Capt & Mrs Sumit Bhatnagar, Capt & Mrs Sarish Mathur, Cdr Dinesh Rai and Archana, Capt & Mrs Kamath, Cdr & Mrs RK Sonkhla,  Dr Ratna Mahindra, Capt & Mrs HC Patro,  VN Mrs Shreelatha Bangar, Mrs Alka Wanikar  and Mrs Rekha Malhan.   We had the opportunity to meet senior Officers both serving and Veterans (Pics and video below). It was an honour to greet our C-in-C and the First Lady Zarine with best wishes on the Navy Day. We thanked the C-in-C for a wonderfully organized BRTC and At Home, the prime event of the Navy Day, before saying Sayonara.  

   

   A Sensational Event of the Navy Week with a spectacular display at BRTC-2024 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  !!!  

 

Sam No Varunah….

Jai Hind!

(PS - NFMC THANKS MEENA DUTTA FOR THE PHOTO/VIDEO COVERAGE) 

MEENA WITH MRS MUKTI GHOSH  

ANAHITA, FAROKH, CMDE & MRS SUNIL  KAUSHIK

CAPT HPS SODHI, NEELU, GURINDER & SURINDER PAUL

CAPT G JHANGIANI WITH CMDE & MRS J POSTWALA

YOUNGEST VETERAN COUPLE CAPT & MRS SUMIT BHATNAGAR

THE  KINGS GALLERY

WG CDR UDAY KOLHATKAR & MRS REKHA MALHAN 

MEENA, MRS MUKTI GHOSH & MRS SUNITA VADHERA 

MRS MEERA DIWAKAR & MEENA 

DR KANTA & MRS MUKTI GHOSH

NFMC PRESIDENT & SECY WITH CINC & GOVERNOR OF MAH

CMDE & MRS SUNIL, CDR VADHERA & RAJ 

CINC & CMDE MIKE BHADA

CDR DINESH RAI WITH CINC

RAJ & MEENA WITH RADM & MRS RC KOCHHAR

CMDE & MRS AKHILESH AND PARENTS SURG CAPT & MRS KM SHAH FLANK

VADM SJ SINGH (CINC) AND FIRST LADY MRS ZARINE 

RADM & MRS AR RADHARISHNAN WITH CAPT HC PATRO

MEENA WITH ADM VS SHEKHAWAT, FORMER CNS

DR KANTA, CDR & MRS RANVIR FLANK ADM SHEKHAWAT 

VIDEOS

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BRTC  COMPILATION

VIDEO LINK 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHFDKO7-ttQ