Award of President’s Colour

Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the Hon’ble President of India presented the prestigious President’s Colour to INS Valsura on 25 March 2022. The 'Nishan Adhikari’ Lt Arun Singh Sambyal received the President’s Colour. The unit paraded a 150 men Guard of Honour for Hon’ble President of India. Over 800 officers and men of INS Valsura, marched proudly to the tunes of the Naval Band. Shri Acharya Devvrat, the Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat, Admiral R Hari Kumar, CNS, Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, FOCINC, SNC along with other senior civil and military dignitaries graced the occasion. The President’s Colour is bestowed upon a military unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the Nation, both in peace and in war. Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Force, to be awarded the President’s Colour by Dr Rajendra Prasad on 27 May 1951. The legacy of INS Valsura dates back to 1942 when the operational necessity mandated the creation of an advanced Torpedo Training Facility to enhance the firepower of the Royal Indian Navy during World War II. Post India becoming a Republic, the unit was renamed INS Valsura on 01 July 1950. Thereon, INS Valsura has transformed itself into an epitome of professional technical training and has exponentially grown to keep pace with the Indian Navy’s modernisation plans. On this landmark event, the Hon’ble President of India congratulated the officers and sailors of INS Valsura and commended them for their professionalism and dedication to safeguard our maritime borders. He also congratulated the personnel of INS Valsura, both past and present for the meritorious service rendered to the nation for the past 79 years. Speaking on this occasion, he lauded the sustained efforts by the unit, towards meeting the national objectives and producing competent sea warriors. He further highlighted the vital role of the Indian Navy as the ‘Preferred Security Parter’ in the Indian Ocean Region IOR and urged the men in whites to continue their selfless and dedicated service to the nation. A special postal cover was also released by the Hon’ble President to commemorate the occasion. The award of President’s Colour marks a very important milestone in the history of INS Valsura and shall be proudly displayed and carried at all Ceremonial Parades at INS Valsura, as per the Naval traditions. It’s a symbol of yeoman service rendered and would motivate the officers and men of the Indian Navy.