Kolkata will soon get to catch a glimpse of India's latest indigenously built/developed Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV), the INS Sumitra. Fourth and last in the series of Saryu-class of OPVs, the ship reached the city on Monday as part of the Navy Week celebrations. The INS Sumitra was accompanied by the INS Khukri, a missile corvette that was inducted in the navy in 1989. INS Sumitra was commissioned in September this year.
"The INS Khukri derives its name from the original Khukri, an anti-submarine warfare corvette which played a pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Commanded by Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, the Khukri was torpedoed and sunk by the PNS Hangor on December 9, 1971 in the country's western coast. She went down with 194 sailors. The present day INS Khukri has surface to surface missiles, 30 mm and 76.2 mm guns. Commanded by Commander Arun Mannath, it has a complement of 13 officers and 130 sailors. It will be a great opportunity for city residents, particularly children to board these ships and get of feel," said Commodore Ravi Ahluwalia, naval officer-in-charge, West Bengal.
The INS Sumitra is a much more advanced vessel with state-of-the-art equipment and sensors on board. Commanded by Commander Milind Mokashi, this NOPV is designed to undertake fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance, monitoring of sea lines of communications and offshore assets and escort duties. The INS Saryu, the first ship of this class also undertook anti-piracy patrolling in the Gulf of Aden in 2013 and received several messages of gratitude from the captains of international cargo vessels.
The ships will be open for general viewing on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, school and college children can visit the ships. The Indian Naval Band based at Visakhapatnam will also visit Kolkata from Friday. The band will perform at Lascar Memorial, ICCR Auditrorium, Tollygunge Club and Pronsep Ghat.
Navy Day is celebrated on December 4 to commemorate Operation Trident. On this day in 1971, missile boats of the Indian Navy bombed Karachi harbour, causing severe devastation. The theme for this year's Navy Day is "Indian Navy - Ensuring Secure Seas for A Resurgent Nation".
"As part of the celebrations in Kolkata, the Navy Wives Welfare Association will blind schools and old age homes with voluntary donations from service personnel and their families. A film show for special children has been planned at the cinema hall in Fort William. There will be a painting competition for children. Medical camps will also be organized for residents of Sagar Island and Kulpi on October 31 and November 14," Ahluwalia added.
0 Comments