Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new State-of-the-Art Admin-cum-Training building of the Naval War College in Goa today, marking a historic milestone in India’s naval education and strategic preparedness.
Named ‘Chola’ in tribute to the illustrious maritime empire of the Chola dynasty, the modern edifice stands as a beacon of India’s maritime heritage and its aspirations as a global maritime power.
Established in 1988 as the College of Naval Warfare at INS Karanja, the institution was rechristened as the Naval War College in 2010 and relocated to its current premises in Goa in 2011.
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With a vision to become the pre-eminent institution for higher military education, the Naval War College is dedicated to preparing officers of the Armed Forces for leadership roles at the strategic and operational levels.
The ‘Chola’ building, designed to inspire and facilitate advanced academic instruction, research, and wargaming, pays homage to the Chola dynasty’s maritime prowess.
Its central foyer boasts a stunning tiled mural depicting Rajendra Chola’s legendary expedition to the Srivijaya Empire in 1025 CE, underscoring India’s historical maritime influence and resurgence as a maritime power in the contemporary era.
Constructed in accordance with the GRIHA-III norms, the ‘Chola’ building embodies sustainability and energy efficiency principles. Key features include in-house utilization of excavated soil for environmental development, rainwater harvesting capacity exceeding 10 lakh litres, and 100KW solar power generation.
Notably, the building’s design philosophy prioritizes environmental preservation, as evidenced by its integration around a century-old Banyan tree, symbolizing India’s commitment to harmonizing progress with nature.
Strategically situated overlooking the colonial fort of the Portuguese at Reis Magos, the ‘Chola’ building serves as a powerful emblem of India’s determination to transcend its colonial legacy.
It also serves as a poignant reminder of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s enduring maxim, ‘Jalameva Yasya, Balameva Tasya’ (He who controls the sea is all powerful), resonating with future military leaders and affirming India’s maritime aspirations.
The inauguration of the ‘Chola’ building heralds a new chapter in India’s naval education and strategic foresight. As the Naval War College continues to evolve as a Centre of Excellence for Wargaming and Arctic Studies, it remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing future military leaders and advancing India’s maritime interests in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security And Growth for All in the Region).
