Republic Day Celebration: A Father's Pride Watching His Son Lead the Navy
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Synopsis
As Lt Cdr Saahil Ahluwalia led the Indian Navy's contingent on Republic Day, his father, Commodore Ravi Ahluwalia, reflected on his similar experience 34 years prior. Both have made significant contributions to the Navy, showcasing a proud family legacy in service.
Key Takeaways
- Lt Cdr Saahil Ahluwalia led the Navy's contingent on Republic Day.
- His father Commodore Ravi Ahluwalia was a former commander of the same contingent.
- Saahil has served on multiple frontline warships.
- Both officers emphasize the importance of teamwork and discipline.
- Saahil expressed pride in following his father's footsteps.
Kolkata, Jan 26 (NationPress) As Lt Cdr Saahil Ahluwalia took charge of the Indian Navy's marching contingent on Kartavya Path this Sunday, a beaming father observed with pride. Exactly 34 years earlier, Commodore Ravi Ahluwalia, IN (Retd), had proudly performed the same role during the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, serving as the commander of the Navy's contingent when the route was referred to as Rajpath.
"Watching my son lead the impeccably disciplined men and women of the Indian Navy during this esteemed occasion was incredibly thrilling. Each of these young individuals has dedicated themselves diligently. I understand the challenges they face. My heartfelt congratulations to everyone for their outstanding performance," expressed Cmde Ahluwalia (Retd).
Lt Cdr Ahluwalia serves as a gunnery officer aboard the INS Mysore, a guided missile destroyer in the Indian Navy, currently assigned to the Eastern Naval Command.
This second-generation naval officer, specializing in gunnery and missile warfare, has an impressive track record on frontline vessels including the INS Teg, INS Kirch, INS Tabar, and INS Kolkata.
Having been commissioned just over eight years ago, he has participated in various operational deployments, anti-piracy missions, and even took part in the Samudra Setu initiatives during the pandemic, where naval ships assisted in repatriating Indian citizens from abroad.
Throughout his operational engagements, Lt Cdr Ahluwalia has visited 27 countries and collaborated with numerous allied foreign navies.
"Stepping into my father's role was a moment of immense pride. He has always been a source of motivation for me. Our team has worked tirelessly for months to deliver an impressive performance, and they succeeded. I extend my gratitude to all my team members, including those working behind the scenes for this remarkable display. The achievements stem from our unity and discipline. Naturally, the naval band performed with excellence as always. We aspire to be recognized as the best marching contingent of the Parade," stated Lt Cdr Ahluwalia.
Cmde Ahluwalia (Retd), who previously served as the Naval Officer-in-Charge of West Bengal, mentioned that his son joined the Indian Naval Academy in 2012, where he was recognized as the best sportsman of his cohort. Furthermore, he was selected on two occasions as the Guard Officer for the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the President of India, said the proud father.
