New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the Indian Navy on Navy Day and extended wishes to the personnel and their families saying it has steadfastly protected our nation and distinguished itself with its humanitarian spirit during challenging times.
"Best wishes on Navy Day to all navy personnel and their families. We in India are proud of our rich maritime history," Modi said in a tweet.
The country celebrates December 4 as Navy Day to acknowledge the role of the Indian Navy and commemorate its achievements in 'Operation Trident' during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar along with CDS General Anil Chauhan, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari & Vice Army chief Lt General BS Raju, pay homage to the martyrs at National War Memorial on the occasion of Navy Day.
For the first time, Navy Day celebrations are being conducted outside Delhi. The Indian Navy will demonstrate India’s combat prowess and capability through an ‘Operational Demonstration’ at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, reported news agency PTI.
The Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam is hosting numerous activities and events. The event began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial and will be followed by a display of the naval submarines, ships, aircraft, and other forces at work.
President Droupadi Murmu will be on a two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh from Sunday to attend the Navy Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam, among other programmes.
The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces will be the chief guest at the Navy Day celebration at Ramakrishna Beach in Vizag, where she will witness the operational demonstration by the Indian Navy and also inaugurate in virtual mode various projects of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The President will inaugurate the National Open Air Range in Kurnool district and the Advanced Night Vision Products Factory of the Bharat Electronics Limited at Nimmakuru in Krishna district.
She will inaugurate the Rayachoti-Angallu section of the NH-340, a four-lane Road-over-Bridge on NH-205 and six-lane grade-separated structures on roads in Kurnool city, Dhone and service roads on NH-44. Murmu will also lay the foundation stone for widening of Mudigubba-Puttaparthi stretch of NH-342 in Sri Satya Sai district. The President will attend the Navy Day Reception at Ananthagiri in Visakhapatnam and later leave for temple-town Tirupati.
(With inputs from PTI)