New Delhi [India], October 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with armed forces personnel on board the INS Vikrant today and witnessed a demonstration of air power and the prowess of the Indian Navy.
The Prime Minister highlighted the warships, aircraft, fighter jets, and helicopters that participated in the Flypast and Steampast.
“The warships which took part in today’s Steampast included INS Vikrant (the review platform), INS Vikramaditya (where I had been ten years ago for the Combined Commanders’ Conference), INS Surat (commissioned earlier this year in Mumbai), INS Mormugao, INS Chennai (which participated in the Bastille Day celebrations 2023 in France), INS Imphal (which took part in this year’s Mauritius National Day celebrations), INS Kolkata, INS Tushil, INS Tabar, INS Teg, INS Betwa, INS Deepak, and INS Aditya,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“The Flypast at INS Vikrant included the Chetak with flag and navy ensign, MH 60 R, Seaking, Kamov 31, Dornier, P8I, and MiG 29K,” he added.
PM Modi interacted with the soldiers, expressing his fortune in celebrating the festival of lights with Naval personnel.
“Today, on one side, I have infinite horizons, infinite sky, and on the other side I have this giant, INS Vikrant, embodying infinite powers. The glow of the sun’s rays on the ocean’s waters is like the Diwali lamps lit by brave soldiers,” he said.
The 262-meter-long INS Vikrant has a full displacement of nearly 45,000 tonnes, making it larger and more advanced than its predecessor. The ship is powered by four gas turbines totaling 88 MW and has a maximum speed of 28 knots. Built at an overall cost of close to Rs 20,000 crore, the project progressed in three phases of contract between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Vikrant has been constructed with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation, and survivability, and is designed to accommodate a variety of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Last year, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with armed forces near the Indo-Pak border in Kutch.
Diwali is a five-day festival that begins with Dhanteras, when people purchase jewelry or utensils and worship the Gods. The second day, Naraka Chaturdashi, is also known as Chhoti Diwali, or Small Diwali. The third day is the main day of celebrations, with worship of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. The fourth day is devoted to Govardhan Puja, and the fifth day, Bhai Dooj, is when sisters pray for their brothers’ long and happy lives, performing the Tika ceremony, and brothers give gifts to their sisters. (ANI)
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