Glorious 50 years of the Submarine Arm
Few men volunteer to lock themselves up in a windowless cramped, claustrophobic, technologically astounding steel contraption with most lethal weapons, to work tirelessly inside the mysterious dark deep oceans, far away from the usual comforts of life.
These professionally competent boys with ‘iron nerves’ handle the sharks of steel — ‘submarines’ and they are called submariners.
Their sea uniform without name or rank signifies equal importance of everyone on board. As the hatches close inside the sub, they know quite well that there are no exit doors for them in emergencies. Yet, bravely and for motherland, they sail in these stealthy boats and hunt for enemy in the oceans. Submarines offer huge advantages of sea control, sea denial, strategic deterrence, maritime power projection, long range surveillance and attack as well as second strike capability.
Our submarine arm was born on December 8, 1967 with INS Kalvari and over the last 50 years it has now evolved into a formidable force. Today India operates many technologically advanced conventional and nuclear submarines. Our Navy proudly celebrated the ‘Golden Jubilee of Submarine Arm’ last month from December 6-8 at Visakhapatnam.
Being a veteran submariner who patrolled the oceans for nearly two decades, I was also invited for the Golden Jubilee function and it was my proud privilege and honour to attend the same. The celebrations included a ‘Welcome Event’ in which submarine veterans from around the globe and serving submariners greeted each other. Contribution of all veterans in development of the arm over the past 50 years was profusely acknowledged.
The Arm also felicitated gallantry award winners. Family members of those who had sacrificed their lives received a memento from senior most veteran and former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral VS Shekhawat. This solemn ceremony saw moist eyes and hearts swelled with pride for those brave submariners. On December 7, an intellectually stimulating and professionally enriching seminar conceptualised on Idea – Skills – Technology concerning submarines was held.
Numerous well researched topics were excellently presented by experts. That same evening Hon’ble President Shri Ram Nath Kovind released a commemorative stamp and first day cover on India’s first submarine Kalvari which was followed by a banquet dinner with the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and several state dignitaries.
On December 8, in recognition of its exemplary service to the nation, the President awarded ‘President’s Colour’ (a special flag) to the Submarine Arm during a ceremonial parade. The day unfolded with wreath laying ceremony at the submariner’s memorial and barakhana in the submarine base.
The Submarine ball at night was a walk down memory lane into submarine history along with scintillating cultural performances. An event of this huge magnitude, words of praise by the President including other dignitaries and huge attendance of veterans skyrocketed the morale of our submarine arm. The programme was superbly conceived and coordinated from Naval Headquarters by Vice Admiral Srikant AVSM, Inspector General Nuclear Safety.
Year 2017 has now frozen as historically unique year for the unheard, unseen deep sea warriors who proudly wear the ‘Dolphin’ badge on their chest and live beneath the oceans for our national security objectives. On December 14, the new indigenous Kalvari scorpene submarine also joined our fleet to take the underwater exploits forward with renewed vigour. This ‘once in a life time event’ will be etched in my memory forever