ON THE OCCASION OF NAVY DAY 2004, I CONVEY MY WARM GREETINGS AND GOOD WISHED TO ALL SERVICE AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL OF OUR FINE SERVICE AND THEIR FAMILIES

2(.) TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE BOLDNESS OF VISION, OFFENSIVE SPIRIT, AS WELL AS DARING AND RESOLVE THAT MARKED THE GALLANT DEEDS OF OUR NAVY IN THE 1971 OPERATIONS. WE REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO OUR CHERISHED NAVAL VALUES AND THE TRADITION OR COURAGE AND FORTITUDE SYMBOLISED BY THE LATE CAPTAIN MN MULLA, MVC

3(.) DISPLAYING THE WHITE ENSIGN FAR AND WIDE IN AREAS OF INTEREST, INDIAN NAVAL UNITS HAVE AFFIRMED OUR BLUE WATER CAPABILITY, BUILT BRIDGES OF FRIENDSHIP AND ENSURED SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY'S VITAL MARITIME INTERESTS AT SEA

4(.) THE ADDITION OF NEW UNITS TO OUR ORDER OF BATTLE DURING 2004, AND INDUCTION OF MODERN WEAPONS AND SENSORS INTO BOTH FLEETS HAS GIVEN US RENEWED ASSURANCE OF OUR FORMIDABLE COMBAT CAPABILITIES. WE NOW NEED TO FOCUS ON SMOOTH INTEGRATION OF THE NEW SYSTEMS INTO FLEET OPERATIONS AND EXECUTION OF SUPPORTING DOCTRINES

5(.) OUR CIVILIAN WORKFORCE CONTRIBUTES SIGNIFICANTLY TO OUR ACTIVITIES ASHORE. SHORTAGES OF CIVILIAN MANPOWER AND CASES FOR REVIEW OF CERTAIN CADRE STRUCTURES ARE BEING ACCORDED PRIORITY. HRD MEASURES, INCLUDING ANNUAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR CIVILIANS, ARE BEING PURSUED WITH VIGOUR. WE ARE PROUD OF VITAL ROLE PLAYED BY OUR CIVILIAN BRETHREN AND 2005 IS BEING DECLARED YEAR OF THE NAVAL CIVILIAN

6(.) OPTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN CAREER PROSPECTS OF SAILORS ARE UNDER EXAMINATION (.) I EXPECT A CONCERTED DRIVE FOR ENHANCEMENT IN QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR SAILORS BY COMMANDS

7(.) BY CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST AND CIRCUMNAVIGATING THE GLOBE UNDER SAIL, OUR YOUNG OFFICERS AND SAILORS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT WITH DETERMINATION AND RESOLVE OUR SERVICE CAN RISE TO EVERY CHALLENGE

8(.) SOME INCIDENTS OF PROFESSIONAL LAPSES AND OVERSIGHT HAVE CAUSED ME CONCERN AND ARE INAPPROPRIATE FOR A NAVY OF OUR STATURE (.) STANDARDISATION / INSPECTION AGENCIES LIKE FOST, FOSM, AND AIR CATS NEED TO BE MORE VIGILANT AND SET HIGHER STANDARDS (.) RECENT SPATE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS HAS TAKEN A HEAVY TOLL AND CALLS FOR SERIOUS EDUCATION/ ORIENTATION EFFORTS

9(.) OUR THEME FOR THE COMING YEAR IS EXCELLENCE IN THREE DIMENSIONS AND A CONCERTED EFFORT IS REQUIRED BY THE SURFACE, SUBMARINE AND AVIATION FORCES TO REACH FOR DISTINCTLY HIGHER PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

10(.) MAY OUR ENDEAVORS BE GUIDED BY THE ATTRIBUTES ENSHRINED IN “PRIDE” AND MAY LORD VARUNA BE AUSPICIOUS UNTO US