1/n. OTD, 04 Mar 1961, INS Vikrant was formally inducted into the Indian Navy. It was a red-letter day for the Navy & the nation. We became the first Asian nation & the first in the region to have an Aircraft Carrier. It was a huge leap fwd for a country which at independence
2/n. had less than half dozen sloops. Interestingly, Vikrant's low key Commissioning had happened few days earlier on 16 Feb but that was to enable sailors to start living onboard. It was on 04 Mar that the erstwhile HMS Hercules was handed over & named Vikrant in a formal event
3/n. Her first Commanding Officer was Capt PS (Peter) Mahindroo. Peter was reputed for his professionalism, composure & dashing shiphandling skills. As CO Delhi earlier his sternboard approach at Colombo was spoken of with much awe. During pre commng preparations our Navy Chief
1/n. As VAdm R Hari Kumar & VAdm AB Singh take over as FoCinC WNC & ENC respectively they assume charge on a date of great significance for Indian Navy. This day 01 Mar 68 was day of restructuring of Indian Navy. It was the day when Western Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command
2/n. Southern Naval Area & Western Fleet were formed & plans made for formation of Eastern Fleet, which took shape couple of years later. It was also the day that the then Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Adhar Kumar (AK) Chatterji was promoted to the rank of a full Admiral.
3/n. These were not matters of mere pomp or protocol. They underlined that fledgling Indian Navy, smallest among three services, had grown its wings & was ready to take off. The year 1968 marks that point when Navy turned a decisive corner & propelled itself into a higher orbit.
My article in recently released navy Journal Quarterdeck or QD as we affectionately call it. About rebirth of Petya class in new classy indigenous Avatar. And reminiscing days on tough ships with cheerful men. A slice of Navy life in eighties tinyurl.com/3xwv72eb @indiannavy
Esp meant for Navy veterans & made mostly with rich contributions by them QD over years is known for rich content & classy design. A treasure trove of stories, anecdotes & old pics it is great forum for informal History. Happy to have been a regular contributor @arunp2810
You are right sir. Neglected subject. From the little I could glean. Some RIN ships Commissioned in UK employed for duties in North Atlantic & Med before they rched Indian Ocean. HMIS Sutlej (Capt JEN Coope, RIN) & HMIS Jamuna (Cdr IBW Heanley, RIN) both built in UK in 1940 were
2/n. Part of Clyde escort force & Irish sea escort force. They also were part of convoy force in Med during Op Husky, the Sicily invasion. Little before that the two ships were traversing between Alexandria, Malta & Tripoli building up logistics. After change of Cmd in Aug 43,
3/n. Sutlej (Capt H Watt, RIN) was deployed in Aegean sea to land a British detachment on the Italian island of Kosterlorizo. Also, HMIS Cauvery, Kistna, Narbada, Godavari, built in UK in 1942-43, carried out convey duties in Med. Minesweepers HMIS Kathiawar & Kumaon, built 1942,
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
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