INS Valsura Awarded Presidential Colors

[GS Paper 3 – Defence and Armed Forces]

President Ram Nath Kovind recently presented the President’s Colour to INS Valsura, the Navy’s premier technological training establishment.

The ‘Nishan Adhikari’ Lt. Arjun Singh Sambyal received the President’s color on behalf of the unit.

About INS Valsura

• INS Valsura, Jamnagar is a very popular college in the state of Gujarat which was established in 1942. It is one of the leading colleges in Defence services.

• It is entrusted with the responsibility of imparting training to officers and sailors of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Friendly Foreign countries in Electrical, Electronics, Weapon Systems & Information Technology.

• In 1942, there was an operational necessity that mandated the creation of an advanced Torpedo raining Facility to enhance the firepower of the Royal Indian Navy during World War II.

• Post India becoming a Republic, the Unit was named INS Valsura on 1st July 1950.

• Thereon, INS Valsura has transformed itself into the epitome of professional technical training and has always stayed ahead of the curve to verse the officers and Indian navy with required skill sets.

What is the President’s color?

• The President’s Color is bestowed upon a military unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the Nation, both in peace and during the war.

• It is also known as ′Nishaan′ which is an emblem that will be worn by all unit officers on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.

• To this day, the President’s Colors are very significant, if the unit loses their colors, it is a disgrace for that unit and, if the unit captured the enemy’s colors then it is a great honor for that unit.

• The Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed force to be awarded the President Color by Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 27th May 1951.

DO YOU KNOW?

• In military organizations, the practice of carrying colors, standards or guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Egypt some about 5,000 years ago.

In the absence of the President of India, the Vice President of India does not and cannot present colors to regiments, ships or air squadrons. It is because the responsibility of being the guest of honor in his or her absence is prerogative of the Services Chiefs

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