President Murmu Boards Indigenous Submarine INS Vaghsheer

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday undertook a historic maiden sea sortie aboard the Indian Navy’s indigenous Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer from Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka. Accompanied by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, the President became the second Indian head of state to undertake a submarine sortie, after former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

INS Vaghsheer, the sixth submarine in the P75 Kalvari-class series, was commissioned on January 15, 2025. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, it forms part of India’s expanding fleet of indigenously designed and constructed submarines, aimed at strengthening the nation’s maritime security along the Western Seaboard. The Presidential sortie highlighted the strategic importance of the Indian Navy and its advanced underwater capabilities.

Following the naval engagement, President Murmu will commence a three-day visit to Jharkhand, covering Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Gumla. Her visit will include participation in multiple cultural and educational programs, beginning with the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script of the Santali language in Jamshedpur. She will also address the 15th convocation ceremony of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jamshedpur.

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At the Ol Chiki centenary event, President Murmu will pay tribute to Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the creator of the script, by garlanding his bust. The celebrations are jointly organised by the All India Santali Writers’ Association and Dishom Jaherthan Committee. The event will be attended by Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and Padma Shri awardee Kalipada Soren.

Security preparations for the Presidential visit have been extensive. In Ranchi, a 200-metre radius ‘no-fly zone’ has been imposed covering Birsa Munda Airport to Lok Bhavan, along with traffic restrictions and prohibitory measures from December 28 to December 30. Similar tight security arrangements have been ensured in Jamshedpur and Gumla, ensuring the safety of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces during her official engagements.

President Murmu is scheduled to return to Delhi on Tuesday after completing her visits to Gumla and other districts. Her engagements underscore a focus on cultural heritage, education, and regional development, alongside highlighting India’s growing naval and strategic capabilities.

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