Mangalore, Dec 18: Close to thousand schoolchildren thronged the New Mangalore Port on Monday to see the Offshore Patrolling Vehicle of the Indian Navy, INS Sharada. Another 1,050 children walked in on Sunday as well. Eighteen visually challenged students from the school run by National Federation of the Blind in Mangalore also visited the ship

The vessel has been put on display for schoolchildren by the Southern Naval Command as part of the extended celebrations of Navy Day which is celebrated on December 4 each year. INS Sharada and its crew have made its way from the Kochi naval base for this event.

Lieutenant Commander Prakash Maharaj who is the officer in-charge of electronics in the ship explains, "We are here to motivate the children of this region to serve the country by becoming part of the Indian Navy." He also added that the years he has spent in the Navy have been exciting times, "It is complete professionalism when there is work. But when its party time we go berserk."

Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Hemant Kumar, who is the vessel's medical officer, said, "The Navy is a great career option for aspiring youth. The facilities and remuneration here matches the best in the corporate sector." But what sets life apart in the Navy, according to him, is the challenging work environment and the relationships that one develops with one's colleagues, "The hardships of the sea make bonds between us that last a lifetime."

INS Sharada was ordered in August 1987 from Korea and is primarily used for defence protection of offshore installations and patrol of the Exclusive Economic Zones of the country such as Kochi, Mumbai and Visakhapatanam ports. The ship was deployed during Operation Sagittarius, covering 20,000 nautical miles in 2002. It was also involved in escorting high value vessels.

Hindu