By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, June 11:
A model of the Indian Navy’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, was dedicated to the city of Mumbai by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, in the presence of Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, and other distinguished guests, on Friday evening.
The 10 mtr long model of the erstwhile “Vikrant” has been made in-house by Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, and has been located at Regal Circle, Colaba in South Mumbai in association with the Residents Association “My Dream Colaba” and “CALM” supported by Advocate Makarand Narvekar.
The dedication of the model is an affirmation of the strong maritime connection of Mumbai and the equally rich maritime heritage of the State of Maharashtra. The model stands proud at the famous Regal Circle, shoulder to shoulder with the iconic Gateway of India and Naval Dockyard, signifying the ship’s strong bond with Mumbai where she was based during her entire commissioned service.
An aircraft carrier of the Majestic Class, INS Vikrant was launched in September 1945 and formally inducted into the Indian Navy on November 03, 1961, in Mumbai. The ship participated in numerous campaigns and exercises, notable among them being the operations for the Liberation of Goa in December 1961 and the Indo-Pak War in 1971. Post serving the nation for 36 years, the ship was decommissioned in January 1997 and remained as a floating museum ship in Mumbai till 2012. The ship was scrapped in 2014.
“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.
