Momentous day for Navy! President Ram Nath Kovind presents President’s Colour to Indian Naval Aviation!
Naval Aviation has distinguished itself with notable and gallant service to our Nation over the past seven decades.
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Panaji, Sept 6: On a huge momentous day for the Indian Navy, President and the Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, Ram Nath Kovind presented the President’s Colour to Indian Naval Aviation at INS Hansa, Goa on Monday.
The President’s Colour is bestowed on a military unit, in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the Nation, both in peace and in war. Naval Aviation has distinguished itself with notable and gallant service to our Nation over the past seven decades. The Indian Navy said, "Award of the President’s Colour to Indian Naval Aviation, is in recognition of the yeoman service rendered both during peace and combat".
Speaking on the occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind said, "Naval aircrafts have also been at the forefront of numerous peacetime as well as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations, providing relief not only to our countrymen but also to friendly foreign nations."
The President lauded the indigenisation efforts of the Indian Navy in keeping with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision of the Government. Further, he added that aviation is an exacting profession and Naval Aviation’s impressive flying statistics are reflective of untiring efforts of a highly motivated team.
The Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Force, to receive the President’s Colour, from Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India on 27 May 1951. The subsequent recipients of the President’s Colour in the Navy include Southern Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command, Western Naval Command, Eastern Fleet, Western Fleet, Submarine Arm, INS Shivaji and the Indian Naval Academy.
Governor of Goa PS Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Minister of State for Tourism, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shripad Yesso Naik and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Naval Aviation
The arm came into being with acquisition of the first Sealand aircraft on 13 Jan 1951 and commissioning of INS Garuda, at Kochi on 11 May 1953. Today, Naval Aviation boasts of nine Air Stations and three Naval Air Enclaves, along the Indian coastline and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Over the past seven decades, it has transformed into a modern, technologically advanced and highly potent force, with more than 250 aircraft comprising Fighters, Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, Helicopters and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Today, Naval Aviation assets are capable of undertaking missions along the entire gamut of military operations. Naval Aviation is a vital component of the main roles of Indian Navy - Military, Diplomatic, Constabulary and Benign.