Kochi: The Southern Naval Command (SNC) has announced an elaborate line-up of events and outreach programmes in connection with Navy Day 2025, marking a significant milestone as the Command takes on the responsibility of hosting the national-level celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram this year. 

The highlight of this year’s celebrations will be a mega Operational Demonstration (Op Demo) at Shanghumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram, on December 4, showcasing the Indian Navy’s combat prowess, technology, and indigenous capabilities. The event will be hosted by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, and will feature naval aircraft, ships, special forces, and other assets in action.

This will mark the third consecutive year that the Navy Day Op Demo is being held outside a major naval base, following Puri (Odisha) and Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) in previous years. 

Speaking at the curtain raiser press conference held at the naval base in Kochi, Commodore VZ Job, Commanding Officer, INS Venduruthy, briefed on the upcoming Navy Day activities. This year’s Navy Day theme is ‘Indian Navy: Combat Ready, Cohesive, Atmanirbhar – Safeguarding Seas for a Vikshit Samriddha Bharat’.

“Navy Day, observed on 4th December every year, commemorates the Indian Navy’s pivotal role during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, when our missile boats launched a daring attack on Karachi harbour under Operation Trident. This day is a tribute to the courage, precision, and strategic brilliance of our naval personnel. It is indeed a proud privilege for the Southern Naval Command to host this national event in the capital city of Kerala,” Cmde Job said. 

He said that preparations are underway in close coordination with the state government and local authorities. “The event will reflect the Navy’s commitment to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and its resolve to be the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region, guided by the broader maritime vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR). 

Outreach activities and community engagements
In the lead-up to Navy Day, a series of outreach initiatives will be held across Kerala to foster maritime awareness and connect with diverse sections of society. At Kochi, special children and senior citizens will be hosted at the Naval Base on November 8, while school visits to INS Garuda and naval ships are scheduled for November 10 and 11. These visits will include exhibitions of naval equipment, models, and advanced weapons systems. 

Naval teams from the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, will also conduct workshops and interactive sessions at selected schools and colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, aiming to inspire young minds and enhance maritime consciousness. A veterans’ get-together is planned at Kochi to honour the services and sacrifices of former naval personnel and to strengthen the bond between generations of sailors. 

The Southern Naval Command Band will perform a public concert at Thiruvananthapuram on November 26, blending martial and popular tunes to celebrate India’s naval heritage. Another special musical concert and philanthropic orchestra will be held at Sagarika Auditorium, Kochi, on December 10 for an invited audience. 

Meanwhile, the Kochi Navy Marathon 2025 will be conducted on December 21, promoting fitness, wellness, and the spirit of camaraderie between the Navy and the people of Kerala.