Cochin(Kerala )2 Sep.
Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier as INS
Vikrant today. During the event, the Prime Minister also unveiled the new Naval
Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian
maritime heritage.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said today, here on the coast of Kerala, India, every Indian, is witnessing the sunrise of a new future. This event being held on the INS Vikrant is a tribute to the rising spirits of India on the world horizon. He said that today we are seeing a manifestation of the dream of the freedom fighters where they envisioned a capable and strong India.
The Prime
Minister exclaimed “Vikrant is huge, massive, and vast. Vikrant is
distinguished, Vikrant is also special. Vikrant is not just a warship. This is
a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of India in the
21st century. If the goals are distant, the journeys are
long, the ocean and the challenges are endless – then India's answer is
Vikrant. The incomparable Amrit of AzadikaAmritMahotsav is Vikrant. Vikrant is
a unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant.”
Commenting on
the new mood of the nation, the Prime Minister said , no challenge is too
difficult for today’s India. He said “today, India has joined those countries
in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous
technology. Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with a new confidence, and
has created a new confidence in the country.” The Prime Minister acknowledged
and praised the contribution of the Navy, engineers of Cochin Shipyard,
scientists and specially the workers who worked on the project. He also noted
the happy and auspicious occasion of Onam that is adding even more happiness to
the occasion.
Every part of
INS Vikrant has its own merits, a strength, a development journey of its own.
It is a symbol of indigenous potential, indigenous resources and indigenous
skills. The steel installed in its airbase is also indigenous, developed by
DRDO scientists and produced by Indian companies, he said. Explaining the
massive proportions of the Carrier, the Prime Minister said it is like a
floating city. It produces electricity that is sufficient to power 5000
households and the wiring used will reach Kashi from Kochi, he said. He said
that INS Vikrant is a living embodiment of the Spirit of the PanchPrans that he
proclaimed from the ramparts of Red Fort.
The Prime
Minister talked about the Indian Maritime tradition and naval capabilities.
Chhatrapati Veer ShivajiMaharaj, he said, built such a navy on the strength of
this sea power, which kept the enemies on their toes. When the British came to
India, they used to be intimidated by the power of Indian ships and trade
through them. So they decided to break the back of India's maritime power.
History is witness to how strict restrictions were imposed on Indian ships and
merchants by enacting a law in the British Parliament at that time, the Prime
Minister said.
The Prime
Minister noted that today on the historic date of September 2, 2022, India has
taken off a trace of slavery, a burden of slavery. The Indian Navy has got a
new flag from today. Till now the identity of slavery remained on the flag of
Indian Navy. But from today onwards, inspired by ChhatrapatiShivaji, the new
Navy flag will fly in the sea and in the sky.
The Prime
Minister remarked that when Vikrant descends to protect our maritime zone, many
women soldiers of the Navy will also be stationed there. With the immense power
of the ocean, boundless female power, it is becoming the lofty identity of the
new India. Now the Indian Navy has decided to open all its branches for women.
The restrictions that were there are now being removed. Just as there are no
boundaries for the capable waves, there will be no boundaries or restrictions
for the daughters of India.
The Prime
Minister said drop by drop water becomes like a vast ocean. He also mentioned
the salute by indigenous canon on this Independence Day. Similarly, if every
citizen of India starts living the mantra of 'Vocal for Local', then it will
not take long for the country to become self-reliant.
Commenting on
the changing geo-strategic situation, he said in the past, security concerns in
the Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean have long been ignored. But, today
this area is a major defence priority of the country for us. That is why we are
working in every direction, from increasing the budget for the Navy to
increasing its capability, he said. The Prime Minister said that a strong India
will pave the way for a peaceful and safe world.
Governor Kerala Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Shri PinarayiVijayan. Union Ministers Shri Rajnath Singh, Shri SarbanandaSonowal, Shri V Muraleedharan, Shri Ajay Bhat, National Security Advisor, Shri AjitDoval, Chief of Naval Staff Shri R Hari Kumar were among those present on the occasion.
INS Vikrant is
designed by Indian Navy's in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by
Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports,
Shipping & Waterways, Vikrant has been built with with state of the
art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in maritime history
of India.
The Indigenous
Aircraft Carrier is named after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first
Aircraft Carrier which had played a vital role in the 1971 war. It has a large
number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses
in the country as well as over 100 MSMEs. With the commissioning of Vikrant,
India will have two operational Aircraft Carriers, which will bolster the
maritime security of the nation.
During the
event, the Prime Minister also unveiled the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing
away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.
