INDIAN NAVY DAY

 

Navy Day in India is observed on December 4 every year to recognise the role and achievements of the Indian Navy. The day was chosen to commemorate the launch of Operation Trident against Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971. Several events take place on this day and each year, a different theme is proposed to celebrate Navy Day. Read on to know more about Navy Day, its history and its significance.

INDIAN NAVY DAY: HISTORY

In 1971, during the India-Pakistan war, Pakistan launched an offensive on Indian airbases on the evening of December 3. India, in response to their attack, dispatched 3 missile boats towards Karachi at maximum speed, Nirghat, Veer and Nipat. During Operation Trident, the Indian Navy sank 4 Pakistani vessels including PNS Khaibar, killing hundreds of Pakistani Navy personnel. Those killed during the Indo-Pakistan War are also remembered.

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces led by the President of India as Commander-in-Chief. The Maratha Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is considered the Father of the Indian Navy.

INDIAN NAVY DAY: SIGNIFICANCE

The Navy plans to celebrate 2021 as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ as a part of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the victory in the 1971 war. The Indian Navy was established by the East India Company in 1612. Later it was named as Royal India Navy and post-Independence, it was reconstituted as the Indian Navy in 1950.

Post the devastating war against Pakistan, the whole country celebrated the success of the Indian Navy. It is also important to educate children and the citizens of India about the significance and the victory of India. Several events like Marathons, Interschool Quiz Competition, Air displays and tattoo ceremonies take place on this day. Netizens also take it to social media to share quotes on Navy Day.

Republic Day 2021

 Republic Day is a national holiday in India. It honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India and thus, turning the nation into a newly formed republic.

The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country's transition towards becoming an independent republic. 

India will celebrate the 72nd Republic Day on January 26, 2021

Significance of Republic Day

The significance of January 26 is that on that day in 1929, the Indian National Congress made the well-known declaration of “Poorna Swaraj” or complete self-rule and Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the tricolour on the banks of the Ravi river. The date set for independence was January 26, 1930, and was celebrated as Poorna Swaraj day for the next 17 years.

Republic Day 2021: How will it be celebrated this year

Every year, a Republic Day parade is held at the Rajpath in New Delhi. The day begins with the prime minister paying tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in India Gate. The president also hoists a flag at Rajpath and several important dignitaries, alongside the Prime minister and the president, are present for the parade. However, things will be different this year, given we are still coping with the pandemic. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had to call off his trip due to the second lockdown imposed in the country and a large number of people will not be allowed in 2021.

The number of marching contingent from the armed forces has been also reduced.