Thread by @srikantkesnur

Folks, sad news coming from Pune where a war hero bids adieu. Achyut Madhav, Gokhale, 75 yrs, IAS, Nagaland cadre, distinguished civil servant passed away this morning. He retired in 2006 as Secy to Govt of India. A recepient of Padma Shri (1990), he was much renowned for his

2/n. Contribution in the fields of environment, rural development, conservation & renewable energy. He was much loved bureaucrat as seen in the Wikipedia profiles or this article below
indiatogether.org/gokhale-govern…
He was also author, photographer & graduate of Mumbai University.

3/n. But what is generally unknown is that Achyut Gokhale was a war hero who served in the Navy from 1966 to 1973. He joined as Short Service Commission & shortly after was nominated as Commissioning XO (second in command) of INS Vinash, one of the new Osa class missile boats

4/n. Being acquired by the Indian Navy. These boats made history in '71 war. Vinash was involved in Op Python, the attack on Karachi on 08 Dec when its 4 missiles sank one ship, crippled two & set the Kemari oil tanks on fire. Achyut was awarded Mention in Despatch for this and

5/n. His CO Vijay Jerath (Jerry) was awarded the Vir Chakra. Despite huge difference in seniority between Jerath & Achyut (as he called his No 1) he had enormous respect & praise for the latter. Achyut was nicknamed Professor for his mastery of every subject during the training

6/n. In Vladivostok. Jerry talks of how Achyut a soft spoken officer rose to the occasion of handling the job, by his sheer professional excellence & winning the sailors hearts by his firm but fair attitude. He sought to know his Captains expectations, prepared very well, took

7/n. the men along & achieved great results. As Jerry says "I always addressed him as Number One till 1971 when I could not hold back my appreciation for him anymore and he became Achyut". Along the way Professor also became an adept Navigator despite poor facilities on Missile

8/n. For plotting & chartwork. Vinash was the first Missile Boat to be Commissioned on 20 Jan 1971 at Kolkota. The whole year went in honing skills, practicing being towed & fuelled by bigger ships & developing tactics. The missile boat squadron & Vinash were preparing for war.

9/n. Details in the book bring out many fascinating nuggets. When Op Python orders were given to Vinash they realised they didn't have the charts for the waters off Karachi. Jerry brings out that Achyut managed them from chart depot without raising suspicion about their mission.

10/n. Or how Achyut managed dettol & talcum powder for the ships company to maintain hygeine during the long sortie where everyone would get a daily ration of only one mug of water. Vinash ultimately spent a little over ten days at sea, from 02 to 13 Dec, during war, a most

11/n. Significant achievement for a small ship. We learn of how Achyut learnt, within hours, to handle the Weymouth Ross distance meter for station keeping. This earned the Professor much praise from his Captain. Most important, on 06 Dec, when the ships autopilot broke down,

12/n. Achyut & an Electrical Sailor were able to replace a faulty relay & make it functional. Jerry also brings out that apart from himself, only Achyut & an Engineer were not seasick & thus held fort on the small ship that was rolling, pitching & rocking hugely in the rough

13/n. Seas of 06 & 07 Dec which led to postponement of the attack. Jerry talks affectionately of how, on 07 Dec, after he had been on the bridge for long, Achyut ordered him to retire & catch some sleep. "That was the best Command to receive from a youngster" he muses in the book

14/n. There are numerous mentions of how Achyut was so completely clutched in the operation that there was Communion between the CO & XO. There is admiring mention of how the XO always maintained his calm & was unflappable in even the most tough situation. Achyut was also known

15/n. For his love of Indian classical music and was considered an excellent singer by his peers & friends. He left Navy after his Short Service Commission ended, appeared for Civil Services exam, qualified and joined IAS in 1973. Owing to his Naval Service his Seniority in IAS

16/n. Was set to 1968. On his distinguished career in civil service, others would know more. However, to us in Navy we rewind to 08 Dec & attack on Karachi which INS Trishul, the OTC, described as 'the best Diwali we have ever seen'. One of the shining stars that made the Diwali

17/n. Leaves us for shores yonder. Rest in peace Lt Achyut Madhav Gokhale. A grateful salute from the Navy & Nation. Pics & info courtesy the book by Cmde Jerath, Cdr Saigal & VAdm @scsbangara who was one of Achyut's closest friends & like him dropped anchor in Pune. Photos used

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19/n. Thread on '71 war hero, navy officer turned bureaucrat Achyut Madhav Gokhale. @sanjeevsanyal @ShekharGupta @karthikavk @pramodkapoor @rhinohistorian @acorn @nitingokhale @MulaMutha @authorAneesh @authoramish @TheBrownBeagle @USI_CAFHR @Soldier_forlife @tarunsingha @CaptDKS

20/n. Thread on 71 war hero, navy officer turned bureaucrat Achyut Madhav Gokhale
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21/n. Thread on 71 war hero, navy officer turned bureaucrat Achyut Madhav Gokhale
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