Indian Navy unveiled a new design for Admirals’ epaulettes, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
New Design For Admirals’ Epaulettes
The unveiling of the epaulettes, a shoulder piece worn to show the rank of an officer, came three-and-a-half weeks after PM Narendra Modi made an announcement on it. In his address at the Navy Day celebrations at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra on December 4, Modi expressed happiness that the epaulettes donned by the naval officers will now highlight the heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
What are the new epaulletes for?
The new epaulettes are for the ranks of Admiral, Vice Admiral, Rear Admiral, Surgeon Vice Admiral and Surgeon Rear Admiral.
New Epaulletes
The old epaulettes carried a baton and a sword, but new ones carry an Indian sword and a telescope. The stars on the new epaulettes are also designed differently than the older ones. Admirals’ epaulettes now have the golden Navy button along with an octagon, and an Indian sword and a telescope crossed, followed by stars reflecting the ranks of rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral.
Why the change?
The change is in line with the Indian Armed Forces’ increasing efforts in the last two years to discard their colonial-era vestiges, customs and traditions. The Navy is learnt to be soon allowing Indian attires in their officers’ mess and wardrooms. The Navy has also reviewed the British-inherited ranks held by sailors and is set to Indianise them soon.
