Navy to 'Indianise' non-officer ranks, announces PM Modi

PUNE/NEW DELHI: In keeping with the government's directive to shed "vestiges of the colonial era", the Navy will now "Indianise" its ranks for personnel below officer rank (PBOR), while senior officers will don epaulettes highlighting the "heritage and legacy" of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
PM Narendra Modi announced these changes at the Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg in Maharashtra on Monday.
"Inspired by the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the India of today is moving forward abandoning the slavery mentality. The epaulettes donned by our naval officers will now highlight the heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the new epaulettes will be similar to the naval ensign," Modi said.
The PM also emphasised strengthening Nari Shakti in the armed forces and congratulated the Navy on the appointment of India's first woman commanding officer of a naval ship. Commander Prerna Deosthali was appointed as the commanding officer of INS Trinkat recently.
The PM also unveiled a 41-feet statue of Shivaji at Rajkot Fort near Sindhudurg Fort on Monday evening. Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Union minister Narayan Rane, deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were also present on the occasion.
The existing PBOR ranks in the Navy to be renamed are Master Chief Petty Officer Ist Class, Master Chief Petty Officer IInd Class, Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer, Leading Seaman, Seaman Ist Class and Seaman IInd Class.