1/n. Thread Crossing the Line Ceremony.
A quaint certificate reminded of an event almost to this date 35 years ago. We the cadets of 30th integrated course were initiated into the world of seafarers through the ritual of crossing the line. Conducted when one crosses the equator.
2/n. Thread Crossing the Line Ceremony.
We in First Training Squadron (1TS) were on overseas deployment to Mauritius, Madagascar & Comoros. Having spent abt 2 months on board we were excited about sailing to far seas & foreign lands. Sea cadets are 'lowest form of marine life'
3/n. Thread Crossing the Line Ceremony.
And life was tough as it's meant to be. But crossing the equator was special, it signified being part of a new community. The function itself is fun & games & relief from boredom of long sea voyages. We were presented in Lord Varuna's court
4/n. Thread Crossing the Line Ceremony.
And punished for our little misdemeanours & dunked into a tank of seawater. The ancient rites by other seamen involved Court of Neptune & an actual dip in the seas. No officer was spared but obviously the EXO or No 1 gets hauled the most
5/n. Thread Crossing the Line Ceremony.
Because of his being a terror otherwise. While a lot of fun, it signifies many things beyond the symbolic. First, only navies with long legs cross the line & venture into far seas. Our ancients roamed the Indian Ocean region millennia ago
6/n. Thread Crossing the Line Ceremony.
And we keep up that tradition. Second, it initiates young men into life at sea. From Griffins or Pollywogs, we become shellbacks. It's a world of new lingo & way of life. It's baptism in seafaring. Third, it reiterates that ships are meant
7/n. Thread Crossing the Line Ceremony.
To be at sea & in the harms way to safeguard peace. Fourth, it's excellent training for young cadets. Our cruise of more than a month trained us in being mariners as well as diplomats. We saw first hand the Indian connection in those lands
8/n. Thread Crossing the Line Ceremony.
As navies world over get more business like, the form of celebration may be subdued but the significance still remains. This mix of tradition & modern makes for good education. And leaves behind wonderful memories.
@indiannavy @arunp2810

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More from @srikantkesnur

7 Sep
1/n. Thread MP Awati. Today, 07 Sep, is birth anniversary of late VAdm MP Awati, one of India's great maritime icons. Evng today @MHSofIndia had a splendid commemorative event in tribute. Sir Robin Knox Johnston in conversation with @johnsonindia described Awati as fascinating,
2/n. Thread Manohar Awati.
fun & interesting & someone who would 'never take no for an answer'. Attaching link of an obit I had done on him for a Navy journal
tinyurl.com/y3zv45g3
A larger than life figure who is remembered with nostalgia & affection
@indiannavy
@arunp2810
Read 5 tweets
29 Aug
1/n. Thread INS Mysore.
OTD, 29 Aug 1957, INS Mysore was commissioned at Birkenhead, UK. Capt SM (Charles) Nanda, later CNS, was Commng CO. She had a glorious tenure in service of Indian Navy as her Flagship for many years incl 1961 Goa liberation operation & 1971 Indo-Pak war.
2/n. Thread INS Mysore.
Later, as training ship, she trained whole generation of Navy offrs incl present top leadership of the Indian Navy. Formerly HMS Nigeria she had seen action in WW 2 & in fact taken part in attack on Port Blair & bombardment of Nicobar in 1944 & 45.
3/n. Thread INS Mysore.
Possibly, a rare case of a ship firing in anger at a country becoming Flagship of the same nation years later. In her illustrious career she steamed thousands of miles, hosted many dignitaries & showed our Flag in different parts of the world. At that
Read 10 tweets
15 Jul
@puruverma16 Yes @puruverma12 we need to remember the stellar contribution of Magar and sister Amph ships in Samudra Setu & other ops since Commissioning. As the lead ship of her class, L 20, pioneered indigenous shipbuilding of LST LS and took part in Op Pawan thereafter. Magar also has rich
@puruverma16 @puruverma12 Historical legacy. Not many are aware that the old INS Magar (L 11), erstwhile HMS Avenger, was the 2nd big ship to be commissioned, in Apr 1949, after INS Delhi (first). She served until 1984. We had planned to acquire 4 LSTs but many constraints made only one possible, Magar.
@puruverma16 @puruverma12 It could carry 2000 tons of stores in varied combination of lorries, landing craft & tanks. Meant for amph ops & HADR, the ship was also used extensively for logistics support including ferrying material from Mumbai, Vizag & Kolkota to Kochi to create infra for trg establishment.
Read 7 tweets
23 Jun
Yesterday, 22 Jun, was the birth anniversary of one of Navy's most erudite and scholarly officers. VAdm Mihir K Roy, nickname " Micky" Retd as the FOCinC, Eastern Naval Command, capping an illustrious 40 year naval career.
An Observer and ASW specialist, he pioneered Air ASW in India as the first CO 'King Cobra' of the 310 squadron (Breguet Alizes). He later commanded, a destroyer INS Godavari, a frigate INS Brahmaputra and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, and the Eastern Fleet.
He was Director Naval Intelligence in 71 war & played key role in strategic planning for the war. Later he played imp role in handover of Maritime Recee fm AF to Navy. He also did a stint as Senior Directing Staff at NDC. He attended the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) UK
Read 10 tweets

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