INDIA. Mumbai: On Friday evening, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari dedicated a model of the Indian Navy’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, to the city of Mumbai. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, and other notable guests were present for the ceremony.
The ten-meter-long model of the former “Vikrant” was built in-house by Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, and was displayed at Regal Circle in Colaba, South Mumbai, in collaboration with the Residents Association “My Dream Colaba” and “CALM,” which was led by Advocate Makarand Narvekar.
The model’s dedication is a testament to Mumbai’s strong nautical ties and the state of Maharashtra’s similarly rich maritime legacy. The model proudly stands at the famed Regal Circle, shoulder to shoulder with the historic Gateway of India and Naval Dockyard, symbolising the ship’s strong ties to Mumbai, where she spent her entire commissioned duty.
The INS Vikrant, a Majestic Class aircraft carrier, was launched in September 1945 and formally commissioned into the Indian Navy in Mumbai on November 3, 1961. The ship took part in a variety of campaigns and drills, including the Liberation of Goa operations in December 1961 and the Indo-Pak War in 1971.
The ship was decommissioned in January 1997 after 36 years of service to the country and served as a floating museum ship in Mumbai till 2012. In 2014, the ship was scrapped.
“Old ships never die, they fade away to be resurrected in another avatar.” In keeping with this age-old saying, ‘Vikrant’ is set to be reborn as the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, designed by the Indian Navy and being built by M/s Cochin Ship Yard Ltd. The ship is presently undergoing sea trials and will soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikrant,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.
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