Reviving India's Maritime Legacy: From Neglect to Naval Prowess

Former President Ram Nath Kovind highlights India's once thriving maritime heritage, lost during the medieval 'maritime dark age'. Speaking at the National Maritime Foundation lecture, Kovind emphasized ancient maritime traditions and cultural exchanges. Post-independence, India's leaders reinvigorated its naval capabilities, heading towards becoming a maritime power.

India's maritime history, once a beacon of trade and cultural exchange, suffered a decline during the medieval era due to 'maritime neglect', a phenomenon former President Ram Nath Kovind attributes to historical circumstances.

Speaking at a lecture by the National Maritime Foundation, Kovind emphasized the country's deep-rooted maritime legacy, dating back 5,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization, and highlighted the role of coastal heritage in shaping Indian civilization and economy.

Despite the medieval oversight, post-independence India has seen a rejuvenation in naval prowess, positioning itself as an emerging maritime power, according to Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, with leaders acknowledging the seas as pivotal to national growth.