NE NEWS SERVICE
PANAJI, SEP 6
President Ram Nath Kovind awarded the President’s Colour to the Indian Naval Aviation at a ceremonial parade held at the INS Hansa base near here in Goa on Monday.
On the occasion, the president was given the guard of honour by the Indian Navy.
LIVE: President Kovind presents President’s Colour to the Indian Naval Aviation at INS Hansa, Goa https://t.co/BYvc9qfZCE
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 6, 2021
Kovind, who is on a tree-day visit to Goa, presented the President’s Colour to the Naval Aviation in the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh.
President’s Colour is bestowed on a unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered
Naval Aviation distinguished itself with gallant service over past 7 decades@indiannavy was 1st Force to receive President’s Colour fm Dr Rajendra Prasad, then President on 27 May 1951@ANI pic.twitter.com/TtSoPGZNgc
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) September 6, 2021
Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and others were present during the function at the INS Hansa base located in Vasco town, about 40 km from the state capital Panaji.
President congratulated Officers & Sailors on this momentous occasion & said that Naval #aviation has come of age with perseverance of National Leadership
He congratulated all Veteran & serving Naval Aviators for their selfless service to Nation@ANI @PTI_News @AjaybhattBJP4UK pic.twitter.com/AoSUnkNclf
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) September 6, 2021
The President’s Colour is the highest honour bestowed on a military unit in recognition of its exceptional service to the nation.
It consists of a 36 inch by 48 inch white ensign with the national flag in the canton and the state emblem embroidered in gold at the centre. The elephant, signifying strength, is placed diagonally opposite the national flag in the canton, a Naval spokesman said in a release.
The Navy was the first among the Indian armed forces to be awarded the President’s Colour on May 27, 1951 by the then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad.
“Subsequent recipients of the President’s Colour in the Navy include the Southern Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command, Western Naval Command, Eastern Fleet, Western Fleet, Submarine Arm, INS Shivaji and the Indian Naval Academy,” the spokesman said.
The Indian Naval Aviation came into being with the acquisition of the first Sealand aircraft on January 13, 1951 and commissioning of the INS Garuda, the first Naval Air Station, on May11, 1953.
Today, the Indian Naval Aviation boasts of nine air stations and three naval air enclaves along the Indian coastline and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the spokesman said.
Over the past seven decades, it has transformed into a modern, technologically advanced and highly potent force with more than 250 aircraft, comprising Carrier-borne fighters, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, helicopters and remotely piloted aircraft, the spokesperson added.
