Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his tradition of celebrating Diwali with armed forces personnel on Monday, visiting the INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karwar.
Interacting with the naval personnel, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being able to celebrate the festival of lights with the soldiers.
“Today, on one side I have infinite horizons, infinite sky, and on the other side I have this giant, INS Vikrant, embodying infinite powers. The glow of the sun’s rays on the ocean’s waters is like the Diwali lamps lit by brave soldiers,” he said.
The 262-meter-long INS Vikrant has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes, making it significantly larger and more advanced than its predecessor. Powered by four gas turbines totaling 88 MW, the carrier has a maximum speed of 28 knots. Built at an overall cost of nearly Rs 20,000 crore, the project progressed through three phases of contracts between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited, initiated in May 2007, December 2014, and October 2019. The ship’s keel was laid in February 2009, followed by its launch in August 2013.
With an overall indigenous content of 76%, INS Vikrant exemplifies India’s quest for “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” and strengthens the government’s Make in India initiative. The delivery of Vikrant positions India among a select group of nations capable of indigenously designing and building an aircraft carrier.
The carrier is equipped with advanced automation for machinery operation, ship navigation, and survivability, and can accommodate a mix of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, including MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
Last year, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with armed forces personnel near the Indo-Pak border in Kutch.
Diwali, a five-day festival, begins with Dhanteras, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali), the main day of worship for Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, Govardhan Puja, and concludes with Bhai Dooj, when sisters pray for their brothers’ long and happy lives.
-ANI