The fourth day of December every year is celebrated as the Navy Day, to celebrate the Navy’s active contribution in preserving and maintaining the country’s safety, security and sovereignty. The day was chosen to commemorate the valiant and pivotal efforts of the Indian Navy’s “Operation Trident” against Pakistan during the 1971-Liberation War.

History

Stemming from the traumatic horrors and stalemate of the 1965 war, the Indian military went into the 1971 war in a planned strategy. However, the naval prowess of the country gained some much-needed attention during the 1966-71 period. With addition of modern warships and missile boats, all that the Indian Navy lacked was an aggressive, fierce approach. While an informal unquoted brief was given by the government to the Navy to adopt and maintain a defensive posture for strategic reasons, it was only when the Pakistani military entered India and destroyed the pilgrimage center of Dwarka on the Gujarat coast, the Indian Navy chose to retaliate.

On the night of 4th December 1971, Indian Navy planned to strike at Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial and financial capital. Owing to the unparalleled and extremely efficient leadership of Admiral SM ‘Charles’ Nanda, the Indian Navy destroyed the naval vessels, harbor installations and economic targets of Karachi. Such aggressive foray from the Indian Navy was never anticipated by Pakistan and it therefore added to the Navy’s advantage. Nanda’s plan to use the element of surprise coupled with overwhelming firepower on ground with the help of extended support from the Mukti Bahini force, the officials in Karachi could not understand the sheer suddenness of the move made underwater. As a result, the Pakistani fleet was imminently withdrawn, leaving the Indian Navy the masters of the Arabian Sea.

Significance

Operation Trident is considered to be one of the most successful operations to have been executed in Post-World War 2 naval history with the Indian Forces suffering no losses. With the undeterred intention to keep the nation’s interests afloat, The Navy plans to celebrate to 2021 as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ marking the golden jubilee of the victory. The celebration is aimed to generate awareness and educate Indian citizens, especially school children about the significance of the war and its victory. Events like marathons, Interschool Quiz Competitions, Air displays and tattoo ceremonies are likely to take place on this day.

Beyond the Warfare

The Indian Navy’s relentless efforts, even at neutral, no-war time zones, is commendable. At a time where the entire world was locked in their homes due to the Covid Outbreak, the Navy continued to patrol in international waters, keeping the seas safer. In addition, the naval force, during the pandemic, operated and exercised with neighboring allies in providing aid, assistance and support in order to build better understanding, synergy and cooperation in the region. Furthermore, command ships participated in the union programs like ‘Samudra Setu’ and ‘Mission Sagar’ providing assistance to foreign personnel by ferrying them to the country to handle the unparalleled humanitarian crisis. Also, the Navy undertook the task of transporting more than 500 tons of emergency rations and medical aid, along with medical specialists to many island countries within the Indian Ocean Region.

However, this is not the first time that the Indian Navy has stepped out and operated solely on humanitarian grounds and executing groundbreaking relief programs. The Indian Navy launched “Operation Vanilla” in January 2020, in order to deliver aid to the people stuck in Madagascar following devastation caused by Cyclone Diane. In September, last year, Indian Navy’s INS Nireekshak joined the Mauritian National Coast Guard in search and look-out for the Mauritius Port Authority Tug Sir Gaetan.

Conclusion

With ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ being outlaid in the periphery, numerous quotes, tweets and speeches from the political leaders have surfaced, thanking and saluting the Indian Navy for keeping the nation’s best interests afloat. Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar on the occasion of Navy Day 2021, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment to preserve, protect and promote India’s maritime interest. He also paid homage to supreme sacrifices of the Naval officers and soldiers and expressed gratitude to the veterans. Union leaders to Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have also expressed their pleasure and gratitude towards the Indian Navy and applauded the Navy’s commitment towards securing India’s maritime interests and helping during civil emergencies.