Historical! PM Modi unveils the new Naval Ensign inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

New Delhi, Sept 2: Scripting a historical moment for the Indian Navy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the new naval ensign in Kochi on the occasion of commissioning India's first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant. As earlier reported, the Indian Navy wanted to shed away the colonial past and honor the rich Indian maritime heritage.

 

According to the Indian Navy, the naval ensign has undergone several changes. The new naval ensign which the PM unveiled in Kochi replaces the present ensign that carries the Saint George’s Cross with the Tricolour in the canton (top left corner of the flag).

 

It means the Indian Navy had a white flag that had horizontal and vertical red stripes that symbolized the Cross of Saint George and the intersection is superimposed with the emblem of India. The tri-color is placed in the upper canton next to the staff.

 

 

 

With the national flag on the upper canton and the blue octagonal shape encompassing the national emblem sitting atop an anchor depicting steadfastness superimposed on a shield with the navy's motto "Sam No Varunah" in Devnagri.

 

The octagonal shape with golden represents the eight directions symbolizing the Indian Navy's multi-directional reach and multi-dimensional operational capability.

 

 

The octagonal shape with 12 golden borders is inspired by the royal seal of great Indian emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj whose visionary maritime outlook established a credible naval fleet consisting of 60 fighting ships and approximately 5,000 men. The rising Maratha naval power during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's period was the first to secure the coastline against external aggression.

 

Notably, PM Narendra Modi in his Independence Day 2022 speech, "We have to give up the colonial-era mentality. Instead, we must rely on our capabilities."