The prestigious President’s Colour was presented to the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Valsura by President Ram Nath Kovind on 25 March 2022. Lieutenant Arun Singh Sambyal the ‘Nishan Adhikari’ received the President’s Colour on behalf of the unit, in an impressive parade. The unit paraded a 150-men Guard of Honour for Hon’ble President. Over 800 officers and men of INS Valsura, looking spectacular in their ceremonial dresses, marched proudly to the tunes of the Naval Band.
Dignitaries present at the event included of, Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command along with other senior civil and military.
The prestigious President’s Colour is bestowed upon a military unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the nation, both in peace and in war. The Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Force, to be awarded the President’s Colour by Dr Rajendra Prasad on 27 May 1951.
The history of legendary INS Valsura dates back to 1942 when few operational necessities churned the creation of an advanced Torpedo Training Facility to enhance the firepower of the Royal Indian Navy during World War II. Post India becoming a Republic, the unit was renamed INS Valsura on 01 July 1950. Ever since INS Valsura has transformed itself into an epitome of professional technical training and has exponentially grown to keep pace with the Indian Navy’s modernisation plans.
The establishment conducts more than 262 courses a year and has an annual training throughput of more than 750 officers and 4200 sailors. INS Valsura has also emerged as the preferred training destination for our Friendly Foreign Navies. 1800 trainees from 15 Friendly Foreign Navies have been trained till date from this premier institution.
INS Valsura has also initiated several welfare measures as a part of social outreach programmes in the Saurashtra region. The rebuilding of Navy Moda village following the devastating earthquake of 2001 was a commendable contribution to community service. In September 2021, during the floods in Jamnagar, over 400 citizens, including the elderly, ladies and children, were rescued by the teams of INS Valsura.
During this event, the President congratulated the officers, sailors and the personnel of INS Valsura, both past and present for the meritorious service rendered to the nation for the past 79 years. While addressing the gathering, he lauded the sustained efforts by the unit, towards meeting the national objectives and producing competent sea warriors.
He further highlighted the vital role of the Indian Navy as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region and urged the men in whites to continue their selfless and dedicated service to the nation. The Hon’ble President wished all personnel of INS Valsura, encouraging them to reach even greater heights in the era of rapidly changing technology.
An official postal cover was also released by the Hon’ble President on the occasion. It is a significant milestone in the history of the INS Valsura to receive the President’s Color. In keeping with Naval tradition, the President’s Colour shall be proudly displayed and carried at all Ceremonial Parades at INS Valsura. It’s a symbol of yeoman service rendered and would motivate the officers and men of the Indian Navy.
