My visit to a warship!
I couldn't resist but to write about a very special experience i was subjected to!
I was invited to have lunch on INS Bramhaputra; the champion warship honoured to be a feather in the cap of the Indian Naval Services!
God Bless but for the world i wouldn't consider missing this offer! I entered the Lion's Gate in Fort, VT at noon where my inviting friends who work in the Navy were eagerly(i have added this eagerly!) waiting for me (simply because they were hungry damn it!):))
there was a whole lot of security affair passes and checks and scrutiny after which we were allowed to enter the premises which spans over miles and miles.
Having owned their piece of Arebian ocean these guys wouldn't give a fig to a place like Juhu! to roam about ;they have bikes. Thus we were escorted to the "parking lot" of the warships where my luncheon was awaiting me on INS Bramhaputra!
On boarding upon by the slanting gangway; two strong and stout Mates saluted us. As it was the first time someone was saluting me; i felt as if i was the president of India :)) (its a custom to salute all the ladies on board! by the way; a lady on the ship is equally respected as the ship itself!!- additional info). i was completely torturing my fellow Lieutenant guide to enlighten me about every possible minute detail on and about the vessel!(later he thanked me and said that he nomore needs his revison for the exam comming up!:))
INS Bramhaputra is a German make ship with some components manufactured in the US. We now have our own similar models;too. The radars ; communication systems and the Missile control systems are developed in India itself (mainly by BHEL and the B'lore Aeronautics) I was enthralled to learn that due to crue constraints; they are all trained to operate most of the systems (Hell lot of study mann). the entire On Water energy generation boils down to the Boilers with mammoth capacity. engulfed in heat resistant plster of parris; i could see from a tiny watch window leaping flames inside the boiler. In the boiler room; when passing through the web of bundles of pipes; the body perspires instantly. It was nearly 35 Degrees and was scoarching hot. "Ye to Thandak hai" was the remark of the sailor. The ship; since not sailing; was cooled down! when competing with the mystic oceanic miles; the usual temperature varies from 50 to 60 degrees!
the daily working span of a sailor as well as the engineer ranges from 16 to 24 hours a day; right in that furnace! The OPS Room is where all the strategic decisions are made and where the Huddles take place. Tiny ladders everywhere like Snakes and ladders and small AlleyWays which confuse you completely.the SONAR system; Signal Jammers; Misslie Controls; Gyrometers; ...........it was a city of machines! the platform for aircrafts and their servicing centre composes majority of INS Bramhaputra's glamour! the Galore of Crests; the souvenirs of exchanges and victories over other Navies was an exquisite one! A small recreation room amuses the sailors by pooltable; bar; library and TV/MusicSystem centre all packed in! the victories on waters and birthdays and festivals are celebrated right here!
The motor tankers or Merchant Navy ships; are much more advanced and lavished compared to the warships as they donot carry missiles and weapons and submarines. the meal was served in the Ward room which was absolutely delicious! our hosts ate almost thrice the quantity we consumed!:))
i could probably fathome 1% of what it must be like to guard the coast against the ever threatening missiles and attacks. It was then my turn to salute..and not just as a custom; but a heartfelt gratitute oozing for all those men! Men; just like you and me; with families and friends; with emotions and responsibilities; who surmount all these entanglements for one cause of belongingness to their country..
truely amazing; isn't it?
I was invited to have lunch on INS Bramhaputra; the champion warship honoured to be a feather in the cap of the Indian Naval Services!
God Bless but for the world i wouldn't consider missing this offer! I entered the Lion's Gate in Fort, VT at noon where my inviting friends who work in the Navy were eagerly(i have added this eagerly!) waiting for me (simply because they were hungry damn it!):))
there was a whole lot of security affair passes and checks and scrutiny after which we were allowed to enter the premises which spans over miles and miles.
Having owned their piece of Arebian ocean these guys wouldn't give a fig to a place like Juhu! to roam about ;they have bikes. Thus we were escorted to the "parking lot" of the warships where my luncheon was awaiting me on INS Bramhaputra!
On boarding upon by the slanting gangway; two strong and stout Mates saluted us. As it was the first time someone was saluting me; i felt as if i was the president of India :)) (its a custom to salute all the ladies on board! by the way; a lady on the ship is equally respected as the ship itself!!- additional info). i was completely torturing my fellow Lieutenant guide to enlighten me about every possible minute detail on and about the vessel!(later he thanked me and said that he nomore needs his revison for the exam comming up!:))
INS Bramhaputra is a German make ship with some components manufactured in the US. We now have our own similar models;too. The radars ; communication systems and the Missile control systems are developed in India itself (mainly by BHEL and the B'lore Aeronautics) I was enthralled to learn that due to crue constraints; they are all trained to operate most of the systems (Hell lot of study mann). the entire On Water energy generation boils down to the Boilers with mammoth capacity. engulfed in heat resistant plster of parris; i could see from a tiny watch window leaping flames inside the boiler. In the boiler room; when passing through the web of bundles of pipes; the body perspires instantly. It was nearly 35 Degrees and was scoarching hot. "Ye to Thandak hai" was the remark of the sailor. The ship; since not sailing; was cooled down! when competing with the mystic oceanic miles; the usual temperature varies from 50 to 60 degrees!
the daily working span of a sailor as well as the engineer ranges from 16 to 24 hours a day; right in that furnace! The OPS Room is where all the strategic decisions are made and where the Huddles take place. Tiny ladders everywhere like Snakes and ladders and small AlleyWays which confuse you completely.the SONAR system; Signal Jammers; Misslie Controls; Gyrometers; ...........it was a city of machines! the platform for aircrafts and their servicing centre composes majority of INS Bramhaputra's glamour! the Galore of Crests; the souvenirs of exchanges and victories over other Navies was an exquisite one! A small recreation room amuses the sailors by pooltable; bar; library and TV/MusicSystem centre all packed in! the victories on waters and birthdays and festivals are celebrated right here!
The motor tankers or Merchant Navy ships; are much more advanced and lavished compared to the warships as they donot carry missiles and weapons and submarines. the meal was served in the Ward room which was absolutely delicious! our hosts ate almost thrice the quantity we consumed!:))
i could probably fathome 1% of what it must be like to guard the coast against the ever threatening missiles and attacks. It was then my turn to salute..and not just as a custom; but a heartfelt gratitute oozing for all those men! Men; just like you and me; with families and friends; with emotions and responsibilities; who surmount all these entanglements for one cause of belongingness to their country..
truely amazing; isn't it?
posted by Pradnya | 10:39 AM
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