Port Blair: Winds, waves and the Tricolour combine in a spectacular maritime salute off Sri Vijaya Puram as Andaman & Nicobar Command celebrates the nation’s 80th Independence Day. With the Tricolour fluttering against the open blue of the Andaman Sea, the waters off Sri Vijaya Puram turned into a spectacular maritime stage on August 15 as the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) marked the nation’s 80th Independence Day with a stirring ‘Parade of Sails’.
Led by Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), the colourful maritime spectacle brought together naval seamanship, sailing skills and patriotic fervour in a unique celebration of India’s freedom and maritime heritage.
Setting sail in the early afternoon, CINCAN led a flotilla comprising sailboats from the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre and the Andaman Nicobar Sailing Club of ANIDCO, taking on gusty winds and challenging sea conditions. The sailboats and other watercraft manoeuvred in coordinated formations across the waters off the iconic Flag Point, each proudly flying the National Tricolour. Against the vast maritime horizon, the fluttering flags and sailing craft created a striking visual tribute to the nation.
Adding a youthful dimension to the spectacle, young sailing enthusiasts took to the waters in Optimist-class boats, demonstrating their skills and confidence while negotiating strong winds and rough seas.
The parade was carefully choreographed off historic Flag Point, with the largest National Flag in Sri Vijaya Puram providing a dramatic backdrop. The location, closely associated with the Islands’ freedom struggle and national heritage, lent added significance to the Independence Day celebration.
The maritime tableau was further enhanced by the presence of capital ships of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) anchored nearby. In keeping with naval tradition, the vessels were ‘Dressed Overall’, adorned with colourful signal flags and the National Tricolour.
More than a ceremonial display, the Parade of Sails highlighted the Islands’ inseparable relationship with the sea and the strategic role of the Andaman and Nicobar Command in safeguarding India’s maritime interests and sovereignty. The spectacle also offered a vivid reminder that India’s Independence Day celebrations extend beyond land and monuments to the vast maritime frontier surrounding the country.
As the sails moved across the Andaman Sea beneath the national flag, the Parade of Sails transformed Sri Vijaya Puram’s waterfront into a stirring expression of freedom, maritime pride and service to the nation—leaving spectators with a memorable Independence Day spectacle.
