PM says INS Vikrant is a tribute to the rising spirits of India on the world horizon
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier as INS Vikrant on 2 Sept 2022, and unveiled a new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.
“Every Indian is witnessing the sunrise of a new future. This event being held on the INS Vikrant is a tribute to the rising spirits of India on the world horizon,” he said on the coast of Kerala.
“We are seeing a manifestation of the dream of the freedom fighters where they envisioned a capable and strong India.”
“Vikrant is huge, massive, and vast. Vikrant is distinguished, Vikrant is also special. Vikrant is not just a warship. This is a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of India in the 21st century,” said Modi.
“If the goals are distant, the journeys are long, the ocean and the challenges are endless – then India’s answer is Vikrant. Vikrant is a unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant.”
The Prime Minister said no challenge is too difficult for today’s India.
“India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today, INS Vikrant has filled the country with a new confidence, and has created a new confidence in the country.”
The Prime Minister acknowledged and praised the contribution of the Navy, engineers of Cochin Shipyard, scientists and specially the workers who worked on the project.
It is a symbol of indigenous potential, indigenous resources and indigenous skills. The steel installed in its airbase is also indigenous, developed by DRDO scientists and produced by Indian companies, he said.
Explaining the massive proportions of the Carrier, the Prime Minister said it is like a floating city. It produces electricity that is sufficient to power 5,000 households and the wiring used will reach Kashi from Kochi.
“INS Vikrant is a living embodiment of the Spirit of the Panch Prans that he proclaimed from the ramparts of Red Fort.”
INS Vikrant is designed by Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
INS Vikrant has been built with state-of-the-art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in maritime history of India.
The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is named after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first Aircraft Carrier which had played a vital role in the 1971 war. It has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country as well as over 100 MSMEs.
With the commissioning of Vikrant, India will have two operational Aircraft Carriers, which will bolster the maritime security of the nation. fiinews.com
