8 Indian Navy ships to visit foreign ports to mark 75th Independence Day on August 15
New Delhi. Eight Indian Navy ships will be making commemorative visits to an equal number of ports across six continents, three oceans and in six different time zones to mark India’s 75th Independence Day on August 15 and pay homage to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the two World Wars.
While INS Chennai and INS Betwa will be visiting Muscat and Oman respectively, INS Saryu will visit Singapore.
INS Trikand will visit Mombasa, INS Sumedha will visit Perth, INS Satpura will visit San Diego, INS Tarkash will visit Rio de Janerio and INS Tarangini will visit London.
“Various activities and events are being planned at each of these ports by Indian missions on August 15 during the visit by IN ships. The most significant amongst these would be the hoisting of our tri-colour onboard these ships in the presence of the Indian diaspora and distinguished local dignitaries,” the Defence Ministry said.
Other activities being planned include official calls by INcrew on the senior leadership of host country, participation by IN and contingent/ guard at the flag hoisting ceremony in the respective embassies, band performance at a prominent public place/auditorium, ships open to visitors, visits by school children/Indian diaspora, deck receptions and various cultural events as organised by the Indian embassies.
At London, the crew of INS Tarangini would be paying homage at the Commonwealth Memorial gates to the Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the two World Wars,. Similarly, a ceremonial wreath laying is scheduled at the Kranji War Memorial and the INA Marker at Singapore.
At Mombassa, the IN crew will participate in the inauguration of a commemorative pillar in the battlefield area of the Taita Taveta region where Indian soldier fought and sacrificed their lives whilst serving under East Africa campaign of World War-I. The commemorative events will also include battlefield tours, a mobile exhibition and a Sound and Light show at Fort Jesus highlighting the contribution of the Indian soldiers in WW-I as well as India’s struggle for independence.
“The 75th year of India’s Independence, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, is an occasion to reinvigorate and reemphasise India’s maritime moorings. Towards this, a large number of activities have been undertaken by the Indian Navy over the last one year both within the country and abroad,” the Ministry said.
Commemorative ship visits to 75 Indian ports during the year 2021-22, President’s Fleet Review aligned with the 75th year of Independence, Lokayan-2022 (sail-ship expedition), display of monumental national flag at Mumbai, community outreach programs across all coastal districts of India, freedom run at various cities, sailing regattas, mountaineering/cycling expeditions, blood donation camps, coastal cleanup efforts, seminars/events on India’s rich maritime heritage, and felicitation of gallantry award winners and war veterans (born in or before 1947) are some of the prominent events undertaken.
