The bell installed on the first INS Vikrant, which served in the Indian Navy for 36 years, has now been returned to the country’s latest and first ‘Made-in-India’ aircraft carrier, commissioned last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The bell was installed on the first INS Vikrant in 1961 after India purchased the British-built aircraft carrier HMS Hercules and renamed it INS Vikrant.
Significance of the Bell on the Aircraft Carrier
The bell was originally installed on the first INS Vikrant, which served until 1997 before being decommissioned. The bell was later removed from there and placed at the designated residence of Indian Navy Vice Chief 5, Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi.
Bells have traditionally played an important role on both warships, as they help sailors and officers perform various duties, as well as during emergencies, according to the officers. On March 22, retired Vice Chief of Navy Vice Admiral SN Ghormade returned the bell to the INS Vikrant.
Also read: Glorious History Of Indian Aircraft Carriers
According to officials, the previous Vice Chief decided to return the bell because the force now has its first indigenous aircraft carrier, which would serve a better purpose in motivating youth about the rich history of their ship and the Indian Navy. The traditional bell has a glorious history, as it was present on the warship when it played a critical role in bombarding Pakistan and blocking the Karachi harbor in 1971.
During India’s wars with Pakistan, the warship was very active and was stationed in strategic locations to ensure the country’s security. On September 2, last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the new warship INS Vikrant in Kochi, making it the country’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier. The warship is conducting trials for fighter aircraft operations from its deck and is expected to be fully operational soon.
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