Modi lauds Navy personnel

New Delhi, Nov 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Navy personnel for their efforts in securing the country’s maritime boundaries.

"We will observe Navy Day on December 4. Indian Navy secures and protects our maritime boundaries. I congratulate all those who belong to the Navy," he said in the 38th edition of his monthly radio programme "Mann Ki Baat".

Modi also recalled the rich Naval heritage of the country and mentioned ancient India’s Navy under the Chola kingdom and said women played a leading role on the sea.

"Most Navies of the world allowed women on their warships pretty later. But in the Chola Navy, a large number of women played leading roles and that too about eight to nine hundred years ago."

Modi also mentioned the navy of Maratha king Shivaji.

"Indian Navy showed its valour on various occasions; be it the liberation struggle of Goa or the India-Pakistan wars. When we talk of the Navy, we see only war but the Indian Navy has come forward during humanitarian ventures too.

"We nurture a feeling of pride and respect towards our security forces — be it the Army, Navy or Air Force. They sacrifice their youth for the country," he said.

The Prime Minister urged the people to wear Armed Forces flags on Armed Forces Flag Day on December 7. He said contribution for the Armed Forces Flag Day fund would raise the morale of the armed forces.