President of India Awards INS Valsura Highest Military Honour
The President of India, recently, has conferred the prestigious President’s Colour to the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Valsura. This esteemed distinction is considered as the apex recognition provided to any military unit in India, acknowledging its remarkable services to the nation. The tradition of bestowing such a token of honour has a rich historical lineage tracing back to ancient times.
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The Significance and Origin of the President’s Colour
The President’s Colour represents the greatest accolade given to military units in recognition of their exceptional service to the nation. It was first awarded to the Indian Navy by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951, making it the inaugural armed force to receive such an honour amidst the three defence forces of India.
The concept of “Colours” in a military context is as old as military service itself. Dating back to ancient India, the armies of diverse kings would carry a flag, known as ‘Dhwaj’, on entering the battlefield. This practice was noted in other ancient civilisations too such as Egypt and Rome. In many Commonwealth nations, including India, this tradition is rooted in the practices of the British Army.
There are traditionally four symbols associated with Colours — Standards, Guidons, Colours, and Banners, awarded by the President. These Colours display the battle honours of the regiments, forging a connection to their glorious past. However, for the Regiment of Artillery, the guns themselves are deemed the Colours, and losing them in battle accounts to losing the regiment’s Colours.
INS Valsura: A Storied History
The name “Valsura” is a blend of two Tamil terms, ‘Vaal’ (meaning sword) and ‘Sorrah’ (shark), mirroring the variety of swordfish present off the coast of Saurashtra. The title also draws cues from the renowned torpedo-carrying aircraft of World War II named Swordfish. INS Valsura was initiated as a torpedo training school during World War II, aiming to bolster the capacities of the Indian Royal Navy. The unit was commissioned on 15 December 1942 and was later rechristened as INS Valsura post-independence on 1 July 1950.
Unforgettable Disaster Relief and Outreach Activities
In the wake of a calamitous earthquake in Gujarat, INS Valsura executed a remarkable ‘Outreach’ activity. It played a crucial role in rebuilding the earthquake-stricken Moda village, erecting a new Navy Moda village in an unprecedentedly short span of time. This accomplishment earned it the Special Unit Citation in December 2001, an honour usually reserved for operational units.
Current Status of INS Valsura
At present, INS Valsura imparts quality training on niche and contemporary technologies by continually enhancing its training infrastructure. Recent establishment of labs for Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Medium Voltage manifest its pursuit for technological excellence in training officers and sailors. Furthermore, INS Valsura is emerging as the preferred training destination for Friendly Foreign Navies, helping India deepen bilateral bonds with nations in the Indian Ocean region.