Thread by @mananbhattnavy

INS Sindhurakshak in her prime.

Unfortunately, she went down on 14 August 2013 with 18 of her crew.

29/01/2013 Severodvinsk, Russia. INS Sindhurakshak

The men posted onboard INS SINDHURAKSHAK were awarded with the Kargil Star War medal as the submarine was deployed in enemy waters, continuously for 45 days.
The men and the Machine both served with honor. 🇮🇳

A silent prayer for the 17 Sailors led by Lt Cdr Nikhilesh Pal, the crew of INS #Sindhurakshak.

You will always be remembered. May you all be at peace. 🇮🇳
#IndianNavy #SindhuRakshak #OmShanti

The names with Rank of 18 submariners who went down with INS Sindhurakshak and made supreme sacrifice that fateful day:
NIKHILESH PAL
LTCDR
ALOK KUMAR
LTCDR
R VENKITARAJ
LTCDR
SANJEEV KUMAR
PO UW I
KC UPADHYAY
PO UW I
TIMOTHY SINHA
PO UW I
KEWAL SINGH
LS UC I

SUNIL KUMAR
SEA I UW III

DASARI PRASAD
MECH(R) 2
LIJU LAWRENCE
LEMP
RAJESH TOOTIKA
LME
AMIT K SINGH
STD I
ATUL SHARMA
SEA I
VIKAS E
SEA I
NARUTTAM DEURI
ME I
MALAY HALDAR
EMR II
VISHNU V
RO II
SEETARAM BADAPALLI
LS RP I

A tribute to Lt Cdr Venkatraj, INS Sindhurakshak on behalf of his daughter...
This is how she felt:

The sound of a blast, shook my heart
And lit up the calm midnight sea
Without a warning, that burning boat
Took you, my Daddy, away from me
+

I would’ve done all I could to save you
I wish I was a little stronger
At one month of age, my fingers still curled
I wish you had stayed a little longer

Your friends come by & take me in their arms
And say you have a soul that can never die
+

I smile at each one of them and reply
I know and so, I will not cry.
Rest in Peace they say? Well, I won’t let you.
For there is a lot of me that you have to see. Every turn, every crawl, every step I take Right there beside me you’ll have to be
+

You won’t miss a moment you didn’t intend to
My first day at school, my first bruised knee
I know I’ll cry and why not? I’m a girl
Yet you are the first person I will look up to see

A Submariner, a Fighter, a Patriot
Thank You Daddy, we are a proud family
+

Knowing your ashes blended with the metal of your boat
You are a legend in the eyes of Mommy and me

I will imagine you proudly wrapped in the tri-colour
As every gun salute shakes me up a little
All your friends will step up to give you a final salute
+

But your flame will keep burning in this monsoon drizzle

I will bid you a smiling and joyous Good bye
But when I’m alone I know I’ll shed a silent tear
I will close my eyes & hope against hope
That when I open my eyes, you will be here…..
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳