New Delhi: Every year, December 4 is celebrated as Navy Day to recognise the achievements of the Indian Navy in safeguarding the country and its territorial waters. On the occasion, Union cabinet minister Piyush Goyal extended his greetings and recognised the courage and commitment of the navy personnel. Taking to Koo, the cabinet minister wrote, “On #NavyDay, I extend my greetings to the fearless warriors of our seas. The courage & commitment of our Navy personnel to safeguarding India’s maritime interests is unparalleled. I salute their relentless service!🇮🇳.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other politicians also greeted the occasion. PM Modi said, “Greetings on Navy Day. We are proud of the exemplary contributions of the Indian navy. Our navy is widely respected for its professionalism and outstanding courage. Our navy personnel have always been at the forefront of mitigating crisis situations like natural disasters.”
Home Minister Amit Shah greeted the navy personnel and their families. “Greetings to our brave Indian Navy personnel and their families on the special occasion of #NavyDay. The nation is proud of our valorous Naval force for their commitment towards securing India's maritime interests and helping the countrymen during the civil emergencies,” he wrote.
Border Security Force, through its official Koo handle, also extended best wishes to the naval warriers and their families. "Director General & all Ranks of #BSF extend best wishes to Naval Warriors & families of @indiannavy on #NavyDay Sam no Varunah,” the BSF wrote.
Navy Day 2021: History
December 4 was chosen as the day to celebrate Navy Day to commemorate the ‘Operation Trident’. The operation was a key offensive during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The Pakistani Air Force had launched preemptive strikes on airfields in western India on December 3. India then responded back to the strikes by declaring war on December 4. On the same day under operation trident, the Indian Navy sank two submarines of the Pakistan forces, PNS Khaiber killing 222 sailors and PNS Muhafiz killing 33 Pakistani sailors.
The Indian Navy is observing Navy Day 2021 as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ to commemorate its 50th victory anniversary over the Pakistani forces in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.