‘Reflection of self-reliant India, new ensign ends burden of slavery’: PM commissions India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant

In his address from the Cochin Shipyard in Kochi where a new ensign of the Indian Navy was also unveiled – it depicts the royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and celebrates his naval prowess – Prime Minister Modi said a “burden of slavery” and a symbol of the country’s colonial past has been done away with, befitting India’s rich maritime heritage.

“Changing global dynamics have made the world multipolar. That is why it is critical to keep a futuristic viewpoint towards global dynamics. For example, the area of the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region were always neglected in the past. But they are now a strategic priority for our country. That is why we are working towards upgrading our naval capabilities and increasing the budget outlay for the Navy,” he said.

“Vikrant is not just a warship, it’s proof of hard work, ingenuity, influence and commitment of 21st century India. Vikrant has filled the country with fresh confidence. Until now, only developed countries were able to develop aircraft carriers. By entering this league today, India has taken a step towards becoming a developed country,” he said.

The Prime Minister referred to “boundless female power” becoming “the lofty identity of the new India” and said, “Just as there are no boundaries for the waves, there will be no boundaries or restrictions for the daughters of India.”

“As Vikrant is deployed for maritime security, many women will also be deployed on it. I have been told that there are around 600 women officers in the Navy and now all the branches have been opened for the entry of women. Like the Navy, other services are also inducting women in their combat arms.”

“Atmanirbharta — self-reliance — and freedom go hand in hand. The more a nation is dependent on others, the more trouble it finds itself in. The more it is self-reliant, the more is its strength. During the Covid-19 crisis, we all experienced the power of being self-reliant,” he said.

Modi also unveiled the new Naval Ensign or Nishaan. The St George’s Cross in the earlier ensign has been removed “doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage”. It now includes the crest of the Indian Navy on a navy blue background encompassed in an octagon representing the royal seal or raj mudra of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

“Today, India has taken off its chest a burden of colonial past and a symbol of servitude. Until now, a symbol of servitude remained on the ensign of the Indian Navy. But now, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the ensign of the Indian Navy will fly high in the sky and the seas. Today, I dedicate this ensign to the father of naval prowess, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said.

The Naval Ensign is a flag that ships or formations carry to denote nationality. The current Indian Naval Ensign consists of a St George’s Cross — a red cross on a white background. In one corner of the cross, the Flag of India is placed — since independence, when the Union Jack there was replaced.

The Indian Naval Ensign has undergone changes multiple times since independence. It was only in 2001 that the St George’s Cross was taken out and the Indian Navy crest added to the opposite corner of the ensign. The cross was brought back in 2004 with the addition of the Emblem of India at the intersection of the cross.

The IAC-1, now INS Vikarant, has been designed by the Warship Design Bureau, earlier known as the Directorate of Naval Design, and was constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The IAC-1 has taken the name, motto and pennant number R11 (Romeo One One) of India’s first aircraft carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war and was decommissioned in 1997 after a service of over 35 years. The name Vikrant is a Sanskrit word which means courageous. The motto ‘Jayema Sam Yudhi Sprdhah’ taken from the Rig Veda means ‘We conquer those who fight us’.

A series of trials, especially that of the aviation facility complex, will take place before the warship is declared fully operational. Its commissioning is seen as a boost to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives, centred around indigenous manufacturing and reducing import dependencies. It is also expected to propel the Navy’s demand for a second indigenous carrier.

In his address, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the commissioning of INS Vikrant at the onset of ‘Amritkal’ as a testament to the government’s resolve to ensure the safety and security of the nation in the next 25 years.

“INS Vikrant is a glowing symbol of an aspirational and self-reliant ‘New India’. It is an icon of pride, power and resolve of the nation. Its commissioning is an unprecedented achievement in the path of building indigenous warships. The Indian Navy’s tradition is ‘old ships never die’. This new avatar of Vikrant, which played a stellar role in the 1971 war, is a humble tribute to our freedom fighters and brave soldiers,” he said.

Singh also said that this is an assurance to friendly foreign countries that India is fully capable of meeting the collective security needs of the region. “We believe in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Our efforts in this regard are guided by ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) as envisioned by the Prime Minister,” he said.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar voiced the Navy’s resolve for “India@100 to become completely self-reliant” until 2047, consisting of ‘Made in India’ ships, submarines, aircraft, unmanned vessels and systems and remain a ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future-Proof Force’.