Bhubaneswar: A memorial museum honouring the late Vice Admiral S. H. Sarma, PVSM, a distinguished Indian Navy officer and hero of the 1971 India-Pakistan War, was officially opened on January 3 at Navy House in Bhubaneswar.
The museum features a rich collection of photographs, artefacts, personal memorabilia, ship models, and exhibits tracing the Indian Navy’s history since Independence.
Sulochana Das, Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation who graced the occasion as the chief guest, highlighted the significance of Admiral Sarma’s leadership, his contributions to India’s national security and the importance of preserving maritime and military heritage for future generations. She described the memorial as a fitting tribute to an exceptional naval leader while emphasising its role in fostering civic pride and greater awareness of the nation’s maritime and military heritage.
Noted historian and author Anil Dhir spoke on Admiral Sarma’s place in India’s naval history and the decisive role of the Eastern Fleet during the 1971 war, which played a pivotal part in the liberation of Bangladesh.
According to Dhir, Admiral Sarma, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 99, served with distinction in three major conflicts: World War II, the 1965 Indo-Pak War, and the 1971 war. “Few naval officers anywhere in the world have witnessed and shaped such a long arc of maritime history. His service spanned the era of empire, independence, and India’s emergence as a regional maritime power. Admiral Sarma was a proud son of Kalinga, a land whose relationship with the sea predates recorded history. From the ancient mariners of Kalinga who sailed to Southeast Asia, to a modern admiral who commanded fleets in the Bay of Bengal, his life represents the continuity of Odisha’s maritime heritage,” he noted.
The event drew a large gathering, including serving and retired personnel from the Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army, as well as academics, historians, students, and prominent local citizens.
Speakers unanimously praised the museum for preserving the memory of an extraordinary career while spotlighting Odisha’s often-overlooked contributions to India’s seafaring traditions and naval strength. The memorial seeks to revive awareness that Odisha has produced world-class mariners and that the roots of India’s naval power extend as much to its eastern coast as to the west.
The museum will be open to the public on Sundays from 10 am to 1 pm. Student groups accompanied by teachers can visit by prior appointment.
