Pune: 75 Teams From Navy’s INS Shivaji Sing National Anthem Simultaneously From 75 Forts To Celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’
Lonavala, 3rd October 2021: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.
This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable the Government of India’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The official journey of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” commenced on 12 Mar 21, which starts a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of Independence and will end on 15 August 23. INS Shivaji under Southern Naval Command of Indian Navy conducted Project Amrit Gaurav on 02 Oct 21 (Gandhi Jayanti). As part of Project Amrit Gaurav, 75 independent teams consisting of three to four members each were sent to 75 Forts for singing National Anthem simultaneously over Video Conferencing (VC).
Various awareness programs and events are conducted by all strata of society to commemorate an occasion of National importance. However, the uniqueness of Project Amrit Gaurav is the novelty and scale of the event. INS Shivaji derives its name from the great Maratha leader and founder of Maratha Empire.
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and the spirit of Independence that it intends to celebrate would be pale without paying a tribute to the great Maratha leader. Project Amrit Gaurav aims to highlight the cultural heritage, indomitable spirit and exemplary leadership qualities displayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by echoing the National Anthem from the very forts which he once ruled.
The conduct of Project Amrit Gaurav on Gandhi Jayanti honours the ‘Father of the Nation’ and reiterates the principles and values echoed by the great leader for generations to come. Whilst Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is seen as a pioneer of the freedom struggle of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi brought an end to the struggle and laid the foundation of modern India.
Project Amrit Gaurav pays tribute to the great leaders with unique leadership qualities at each end of the timeline of the freedom struggle. The event is a fitting tribute to Unity in Diversity of the Nation wherein we have the freedom to follow varied paths for the same common goal. Further, through trekking and cleanship drives along the trek, the participants of the event were actively spreading the message of awareness towards ‘Rashtriya Swachchta Diwas’ and environmental responsibility.
Project Amrit Gaurav aims to enhance the individual responsible for the physical health along with pride for the past glory through its unique combination of trekking to forts of historical importance. The event aims to inspire and motivate personnel to attain better fitness and take up adventure activities. Apart from officers and sailors posted to this Station, the event saw wider participation from trainee officers and sailors, defence civilians and members of Naval Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) Station Lonavla.
For the conduct of the event, entire 75 teams were divided into two groups and seven zones based on the distance from INS Shivaji. The flag-off ceremony was held on Saturday from INS Shivaji to reach destinations by noon and were logged in through Video Conferencing. The time available was utilised for carrying out a cleanship drive and selection of a vantage point for singing National Anthem. The teams were logged in by 12.30 pm for the main event of singing the National Anthem.
For the main event, apart from 75 teams from the respective forts, personnel from INS Shivaji were logged in virtually along with FOCinC (South) from Southern Naval Command, Kochi. At the stroke of 1300 hrs, the National Anthem was sung with all the teams through Video Conferencing. The main event culminated with an address by Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command.
