Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Navy Day address at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra.on Monday announced that the new epaulettes of the Indian Navy will bear the imprint of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s maritime legacy. The decision was taken as a representation of the fact that India has long discarded the narrative of slavery and has moved ahead drawing inspiration from the Maratha ruler.
The new epaulettes with Shivaji's imprints will replace the current ones which feature the Nelson’s Ring, a colonial legacy.
Moreover, PM Modi also announced that the nomenclature of the naval ranks will also be revised soon which will be in line with Indian traditions.
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This year’s Navy Day celebrations were held at the Sindhudurg Fort, built by the Maratha ruler in the 17th century.
India celebrates December 4 as Navy Day to commemorate Operation Trident, the navy’s attack on Karachi harbour during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
What all did PM Modi say?
“Inspired by the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, today’s India is moving forward abandoning the mentality of slavery. I am happy to announce that the epaulettes donned by the naval officers will now highlight the heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and they will be similar to the naval ensign,” the PM said.
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“With the feeling of taking pride in one’s heritage, I am proud to make another announcement. The navy is now going to name its ranks in line with Indian traditions,” he said.
Ranks to be revised
It has been reported that the navy has completed a review of ranks held by sailors, inherited from the British, and is set to replace them with Indianised designations as part of a larger drive to jettison colonial military traditions.
Gender-neutral changes to the ranks will also be announced shortly.
More than 65,000 sailors will now get new ranks.
The ranks that will be made to align with Indian traditions are Master Chief Petty Officer Ist Class, Master Chief Petty Officer IInd Class, Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer, Leading Seaman, Seaman Ist Class and Seaman IInd Class.
Officer ranks will stay.
