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INS Vikrant gets back its ‘Original’ Bell
Senior officials of the Indian Navy have reported that the original bell of the first aircraft carrier of the same name, commissioned in 1961, has been gifted to India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
Vice Admiral S.N. Ghormade, who recently retired as Vice Chief of Navy Staff, presented the original bell to the commanding officer of INS Vikrant on 22 March. The bell is expected to be displayed on the carrier to inspire future and current officers and sailors about the rich history of their warship. The bell was originally installed on the first INS Vikrant carrier in 1961, which was decommissioned in 1997. The bell was later removed and placed at the residence of Indian Navy Vice Chief - 5, Motilal Nehru Marg. Bells have traditionally played an important role on warships, indicating time and sounding alarms during emergencies. The return of the original bell to INS Vikrant is seen as a fitting tribute to its illustrious past, which includes its role in the 1971 bombardment of Pakistan and blockading the Karachi harbour. INS Vikrant is currently undergoing trials for fighter aircraft operations and is expected to become fully operational with its own aircraft element soon.