As part of shedding the ‘vestiges of colonial era,’ the Indian Navy will now get Chhatrapati Shivaji-inspired epaulettes. Celebrating the Navy Day 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg on December 5. The changes come a year after the PM unveiled Chhatrapati Shivaji-inspired ensign for Indian Navy.
While making the announcement at majestic Sindhudurg Fort, PM Modi said that the Navy is now abandoning the ‘slave mentality.’ Another key modification announced by PM Modi is the Indianisation of designation of PBOR or personnel below officer rank. The PBOR ranks set for renaming include Master Chief Petty Officer Ist Class, Master Chief Petty Officer IInd Class, Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer, Leading Seaman, Seaman Ist Class, and Seaman IInd Class.
Every year, India celebrates December 4 as Navy Day to mark the victory of Indian naval forces over Pakistan in Karachi during the 1971 war. This year, the Navy Day celebrations were held at Sindhudurg Fort. This was the site of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s sea fort. The venue was chosen to celebrate 350th year of Shivaji’s coronation.
PM Modi expressed unparalleled pride in celebrating Navy Day from the victorious grounds of Sindhudurg. He highlighted the significance of the Sindhudurg Fort, evoking a sense of pride in every Indian citizen. Emphasizing Shivaji Maharaj’s foresight in recognising the importance of naval capabilities for a nation, the Prime Minister reiterated Shivaji Maharaj’s belief that control over the seas equates to ultimate power. Modi mentioned Shivaji’s establishment of a powerful navy and paid homage to warriors like Kanhoji Angre, Mayaji Naik Bhatkar, and Hiroji Indulkar, acknowledging their enduring inspiration in the present day.
The Prime Minister also talked about the new tradition of holding armed forces day such as Army Day, Navy Day etc outside Delhi as this expands the occasion to all over India and the new places get new attention.