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Sea power
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash, who came down to Kochi in a helicopter for steel-cutting of the first indigenous aircraft carrier, was nostalgic.
India's enslavement by foreign powers due to the to lack of appreciation of the importance of sea power and the consequent neglect of the seas, he said. History tells us that only few patriots like Kunjali Marakkar resisted the exploitation of our seas by outside powers. India of the 21st century has a significant stake in the seas that surround us on three sides, he said.
"The aircraft carrier is a critical component of the blue water force that we require. Its airpower and three-dimensional capability will tilt the balance in our favour. INS Vikrant, the aircraft carrier which has now been decommissioned, cut off supplies to Pakistani forces in the 1971 war. It also accelerated the surrender of 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war," Admiral Prakash said.
By John L. Paul
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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