GRSE Gives Independence Day a Unique Identity, Renames Shipbuilding Units After Bengal Legends

Independence Day celebrations at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd took on a distinctive character this year, with the defence shipyard unveiling new identities for three of its key shipbuilding units and its design department in honour of iconic personalities from West Bengal.

The initiative was unveiled during the Independence Day celebrations at GRSE headquarters in Kolkata on Saturday, August 15, with Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, hoisting the National Flag. This was followed by an impressive guard of honour by CISF personnel.

Among those present were Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding); Capt (IN) P Sunilkumar (Retd.), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel); Niranjan Bhalerao, Director (Finance); Abhishek Ranjan, IOFS, Chief Vigilance Officer; V Vidhun, Commandant, CISF; and senior officials of GRSE and CISF.

Shipbuilding Units Named After Bengal Icons

The highlight of the celebrations was the unveiling of the new names of three GRSE shipbuilding units, along with a new identity for its Central Design Office.

The Main Works Unit has been renamed the Rabindranath Tagore Shipyard, while the RBD Unit has been renamed the Rishi Bankim Shipyard. The FOJ Unit now carries the name Matangini Hazra Shipyard.

The Central Design Office (CDO) has also been renamed the Centre for Ship Design & Research, reflecting GRSE’s growing emphasis on indigenous design, research and technological capability.

The new identities were unveiled through a digital display during the Independence Day celebrations.

The choice of names gives the shipyard’s industrial infrastructure a strong connection with Bengal’s contribution to India’s cultural and national heritage. Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and freedom fighter Matangini Hazra represent three powerful dimensions of Bengal’s contribution to the nation.

A New Chapter for a Historic Shipyard

The renaming comes at an important stage in GRSE’s long journey. With a legacy dating back to 1884, the defence public sector undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence has emerged as one of India’s important shipbuilding organisations.

In June 2026, GRSE was accorded Navratna status by the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance, Government of India — a major milestone that recognised its sustained performance, capabilities and contribution to national development.

Addressing the gathering, Cmde PR Hari reflected on GRSE’s journey over the past year and highlighted the shipyard’s operational and financial performance, its continued focus on self-reliance and indigenous capabilities, and emerging opportunities in both naval and commercial shipbuilding.

“Independence Day reminds us that freedom comes with the responsibility to build a stronger, more self-reliant and future-ready nation. At GRSE, this responsibility is reflected in our unwavering commitment to indigenous shipbuilding and nation-building,” he said.

He added that GRSE’s elevation to Navratna status and its strong performance in the first quarter of the current financial year were a testament to the dedication of Team GRSE.

According to the CMD, the unveiling of new identities for key facilities marks a new chapter that honours GRSE’s rich heritage while strengthening its focus on innovation, excellence and capability building.

“As we move forward, we remain committed to contributing to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and a maritime nation of global standing,” he said.

Cmde PR Hari also congratulated the GRSE and CISF teams for their participation in the Independence Day celebrations and appreciated their continued commitment to the organisation and the nation.

The decision to combine national pride, Bengal’s heritage and GRSE’s shipbuilding legacy has given this year’s Independence Day celebrations a unique identity — one that looks simultaneously to India’s past and its maritime future.