New Delhi: The Indian Navy will present its Carrier Battle Group at the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path on January 26. This battle group is made up of the Kalvari-class submarines, destroyers such as INS Delhi, Kolkata, and Shivalik, advanced light helicopters, and the country’s own aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
The themes of the Indian Navy tableau are ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) and ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power), reported news agency PTI.
The contingent of the Indian Navy will have three women platoon commanders- Mudita Goyal, Lt Sharvani Supreiya, and Lt Devika H.
The officials said, “The naval tableau at the parade at Kartavya Path on January 26 will also showcase the Navy’s “unwavering” commitment to ‘Nari Shakti’ with an overarching focus on women in all roles and across all ranks. For the first time, the Navy will have a mixed composition with 144 young men and women marching down the historic Kartavya path reflecting its commitment towards gender neutrality,” PTI reported.
The naval tableau will depict the first fully indigenous Carrier Battle Group, comprising aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, her highly capable escort ships Delhi, Kolkata, Shivalik, and Kalvari class submarine besides light combat aircraft as well as advanced light helicopter. The Rukmani satellite and the multi-band GSAT-7 military communications satellite will also be on display.
Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, the Navy’s controller of personnel services, said the participation of the navy contingent in the parade “would also reflect a resolve to safeguard the nation’s strategic interests” in addition to being a show of military force. The Vice Admiral told journalists that the tableau will also display the Navy’s commitment to ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) as well as its focus on gender neutrality.
Currently, the Indian Navy has a total of 680 women officers and it has recruited 1,119 women Agniveers so far.
Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh further stated, “Our tableau this year encapsulates the narrative of a Navy that is not only safeguarding the maritime frontiers but also shaping a future where self-reliance and the empowerment of every individual irrespective of gender, are paramount.”
He said, “It stands as a resounding affirmation of India’s maritime prowess and the inclusive strides taken in the journey towards a self-reliant and equitable nation.” Later, he confirms, the central theme of the naval tableau revolves around ‘Aatmanirbharta’ showcasing indigenous milestones achieved by “Bharat”.
On INS Series, he said “Kalvari class submarine would be operating in tandem. This CBG would be supported by ISRO’s Rukmani satellite. Kolkata class ships INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Chennai are now deployed in the Arabian Sea for anti-piracy operations”. Recently, off the coast of Somalia, INS Chennai took part in an operation that stopped the piracy attack on the merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk.
He stated that the naval contingent participating this time would consist of 144 young men and women, marching shoulder to shoulder on the Kartavyapath.
According to the news agency PTI, the contingent will be proudly led by Lt Prajwal.
Vice Admiral Singh added,” The front portion of the tableau depicts Nari Shakti, emphasising the role of women in the Indian Navy with progressive induction in all ranks and all roles which is unique among all the services”. “It shall also portray the Indian Navy emerging as a strong and cohesive institution embracing gender neutrality.”