December 4: Navy Day

The Indian Navy Day is observed every year on 4 December to celebrate achievements and role of the naval force to the country. This year is 46th Navy Day.  Celebrations of Navy Day not only display India’s technological progress but also the maritime achievements of India.
Indian Navy is one of most potent maritime forces in the world and the most lethal in Indian Ocean. It plays great role in securing marine borders of country as well as enhancing international relations of country through foreign port callings, joint exercises, humanitarian missions and calamity relief.

Background

The observance of the day commemorates the launch of Operation Trident by the Indian Navy against Pakistan on 4th December, 1971. During 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Indian Navy had played a significant role in the bombing of Karachi harbour, the stronghold of the Pakistani Navy. In this attack, Indian Navy sank four Pakistani vessels including PNS Ghazi and ravaged the Karachi harbour fuel fields. In this operation, three missile boats of the Indian Navy, INS Nirghat, INS Nipat and INS Veer had played a pivotal role. Operation Trident had also resulted in first use of anti-ship missiles in the Arabian Sea region.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2017