The Indian Navy is equally efficient as the Indian Army and the Indian Airforce , but, because of its operations, it does not get much publicity. By its very nature, its contact with the public is limited; hence its public relations are also different. It has a limited external public, but in the various Naval Bases in the country, and in the Naval Ships, its internal public is highly educated, cultured and disciplined. Some people say that it is the Gentleman’s Arm of the Defence Forces.The white dress and blue cap look very smart on the Officers and Men of the Indian Navy.
My contact with the Indian Navy is very limited. While I was a student at Calcutta there was a boy named Junankar from Bombay. His brother was a Commissioned Officer in the Indian Navy. Once he took some of us to a Naval Ship, which had come to Calcutta. We went round the Ship and had our lunch with the Officers in the Ship. We saw the Signals Room with all the sophisticated equipment, including RADAR, and the Engineering Section, which keeps the Ship always in good shape. Indian Navy also recruits Commissioned Officers for its Technical Wings and for the Education Branch; but somehow, I was not interested in applying for a Commission after my experience with the Selection Boards of the Indian Army and the Indian Airforce. The Indian Navy has also got the Indian Naval Physical Laboratory, where civilian scientists conduct high level research in Physics, as applied to Navy.
In Orissa, there is a Naval Base at Chilka, called the INS Chilka. Actually, it is a shore establishment having a full fledged hospital called NIVARINI, commanded by a Surgeon Commander, who is assisted by a Surgeon Lt. Commander. The Chief of INS Chilka was Captain Sheogan, who is now posted in Bombay. Two years back, INS NIVARINI had conducted a Health Camp at the Bajiraut Chhatravas. They had come all the way from INS Chilka, near Banpur, to Angul, to conduct the Health Camp. The ENT, Dental and Eye Departments were very busy in treating many cases. They remained here for two days and checked about 200 children and other inmates of the Chhatravas. When they left, they had invited us to visit them. When we took our children on an excursion to Chilka, we had stayed at the INS Chilka as their Guests. In the evening there was a cultural programme put up by our children.
Just opposite the INS Chilka is the famous Kalijai Temple in Parikud. You have to cross the sea to come to Kalijai. Parikud had a Raja, who had peculiar mannerisms. He used to travel in the train with empty trunks and a currency note of one thousand rupees, but always without a valid ticket. When the TTC was approaching him for ticket, he was showing the thousand rupee note. From where the poor TTC would get so much of money ? He used to take all the Chickens and Goats left by the devotees of Kalijai, and sell them in the market. Now the situation is changed. Many poets have composed poems on Chilka. But, the one by Pandit Godabarish Misra is in everyone’s lips. ’’ Bhalakari Naha Bahare Nauri Jhiaku Maduchhi Dara; Gade Gada Loke Chahin Basithibe, Jhia Jiba Sashughara.’’ ( O Boatman, sail the boat carefully, the bride is afraid. She is going to her mother-in-law’s house, where the people are waiting for her.) The Boat never reached; there was a storm, and it sunk in the deep lake . This legend has always kept Kalijai in mystery.