All you need to know about Navy Day
Navy Day marks December 4 to acknowledge the role and achievements of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy was established by the East India Company in 1612. Later it was named as Royal India Navy and post-Independence, it was reconstituted as the Indian Navy in 1950. The Maratha Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is considered the Father of the Indian Navy.
Dating back to this day during the Indo-Pakistan War, December 4 was chosen to commemorate the launch of Operation Trident against Pakistan in 1971. The India-Pakistan War of 1971 had begun on December 3, when the Pakistan Air Force launched pre-emptive strikes on airfields in Western India. India responded by formally declaring war in the early hours of December 4. Timeline of the 1971 War ranges from December 3 to December 16, wherein Bangladesh was liberated to form the government later. December 3: The Bangladesh Air Force, which was formed through the then Indian assistance and had on board revolting Bengali officers and the Pakistan Air Force, took to destroy Pakistani oil depots; Pakistan later attacked India which triggered the country to step into the war.
December 4: Having formally entered the war, Indian naval attack on Karachi took place.
December 5: The Indian Navy’s Western C-in-C, Vice Admiral SN Kohli received the code word “Angaar”, which meant success in Operation Trident.
December 7: Jessore, Sylhet liberated.
December 8: Indian air attack on Murid airbase.
December 11: Hilli, Mymenshingh, Kushtia and Noakhali liberated. USA deploys USS Enterprise in Bay of Bengal.
December 13: USSR sent warships to counter Enterprise
December 16: The 1971 War ended and India sealed its victory when the instrument of surrender was signed by Lt Gen Niazi of Pakistan with Lt Gen JS Aurora watching, at Dhaka. That remains the abiding image of the 1971 War.
December 22: Provisional government arrives in Dhaka from exile.
After the war against Pakistan, the whole country rejoiced in the success of the Indian Navy. To mark the significance of this day, several educational institutes and other organisations across the country conduct marathons, quiz competition, air displays and tattoo ceremonies take place on this day.