PM Modi says - "epaulettes adorned by naval officers will now have reflection of Chhatrapati Shivaji, credited for building the country's first modern Navy"

PM Narendra Modi announced the epaulettes (rpt epaulettes) adorned by naval officers will have reflection of Chhatrapati Shivaji, credited for building the country's first modern Navy.

The legendary Maratha Empire founder knew the importance of naval power for a country and built a strong maritime force during his reign, said the PM.

Taking inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji, India has left behind the mentality of slavery and racing forward on all fronts, he asserted.

Modi maintained today, India is setting bigger targets for itself and utilising its full potential to achieve those goals.

The world is seeing India as a 'Vishwa Mitra' (universal friend) the prime minister said.

Modi said India is giving an unprecedented support to port-led development. "Merchant shipping is also being encouraged. India is moving towards utilising the potential of its oceans," he said.

Shortly before taking part in the Navy Day event, Modi unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district.

Modi later witnessed 'operational demonstration' conducted by Indian Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and Special Forces from the Tarkarli beach.

The small coastal town of Malvan also witnessed an impressive demonstration of the Navy's prowess. The Navy deployed an array of its assets --- frontline warships, submarine, aircraft and helicopters for the drill.

Warships INS Vikramaditya, INS Kolkata, INS INs Kochi, INS Visakhapatnam, INS Chennai, INS Brahmputra, INS Beas, INS Betwa, INS Tabar, INS Subhadra INS Vinash and INS Vipul were part the drill.

The Navy also deployed submarine Khanderi, helicopters Chetak, Kamov 32, Seakind 42B, and Dornier, P8I surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft, Light Combat Aircraft and Mig29K during the display of its operational prowess and capabilities.

Earlier in the day, the PM extended greetings on Navy Day, saying the commitment of navy personnel in safeguarding India's seas is a testament to their unwavering dedication to duty and love for the nation.

Winter session of Parliament: PM advises Opposition "Not to vent ire of poll defeats"  

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was asked by journalists in Parliament premises whether the BJP-led NDA will touch the landmark 400 mark in 2024 polls; his response was:

"...In 2024 elections, BJP and NDA allies will win a higher number of seats than we won in the last Lok Sabha elections."

 'Don’t vent ire of poll defeats in Parliament’: PM Modi's advice to Opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a dig at Opposition and said that they should engage in discussion in Parliament instead of taking anger of defeat in assembly polls.

"...If I speak on the basis of the recent elections' results, this is a golden opportunity for our colleagues sitting in the Opposition. 

Instead of taking out your anger of defeat in this session, if you go ahead with positivity and learn from the defeat and leave behind the tendency of negativity of the last 9 years, the country will change their point of view for them," the PM said. 

Meanwhile, sources said the Privileges Committee of the Rajya Sabha will meet on Monday afternoon and take up the matter related to AAP MP Raghav Chadha's "suspension". 

As the BJP scored a landslide victory in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan in recently concluded Assembly elections, BJP MPs raised "Teesri Baar Modi Sarkar" and "Baar Baar Modi Sarkar" slogans in Lok Sabha in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the winter session of the Parliament commences.