 "File photo of Indian Navy's conventional aircraft carrier INS Viraat (Photo:Wikipedia)")
The navy on Monday decommissioned Indian Navy Ship (INS) Viraat, the world’s oldest aircraft carrier, 58 years after she entered operational service with the Royal Navy in 1959. During this period, she sailed over a million kilometres, enough to circumnavigate the world 27 times.
According to centuries-old naval practice, the decommissioning was formally completed when two flags — the Viraat’s commissioning pennant, and the naval ensign — were lowered at sunset on Monday in Mumbai.
Highlighting the nostalgia around the decommissioning, all but one of the carrier’s 22 Indian commanding officers attended the ceremony.
As a mark of respect, the
