City students enjoy the weekend with the water warrior of India

More than 600 students lined up at the docks to welcome the warship. On seeing the stately vessel, the band struck up a tune. A water salute was followed by a ceremonial salute by the students. The ceremony also saw the Flag Officer for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area Alok Bhatnagar being welcomed to the ship by the Captain Praveen Nair. 

Speaking on the occasion, Bhatnagar said, “This is a momentous occasion as the INS Chennai makes its maiden visit to the city of Chennai. This is a tradition steeped in history. On being named after a city, the ship is either stationed there or makes frequent visits to the port, giving a chance for the people of that city to interact with the vessel. We are trying to do that in Chennai.” 

The ship, which measures 163 metres in length and 17.4 metres in breadth, has a displacement of 7,500 tonnes. It is one of the most potent warships constructed in India, with enhanced weaponry and stealth features. Captain Praveen Nair said that INS Chennai is the third ship in the Kolkata class Project 15 alpha destroyers, after INS Kolkata and INS Kochi. There are 330 sailors and 40 officers on board. 

Chief Minister K Palanisamy is expected to visit the ship on Monday (April 17). The school students gathered there were excited to get a view of the interiors of the warship. K Amirtha Loshini, a 16-year-old Class 11 student at Ashok Nagar Girls Higher Secondary School, said she was thrilled to see a warship for the first time. “This is a rare opportunity to view a warship at close quarters,” she gushed. 

M Meghanath, a 13-year-old student from the Chennai Higher Secondary School MGR Nagar, said he was excited to see the ship, after hearing much about it. “After my teacher spoke to us about the ship at length, I was awestruck to see it in person. Moreover, since the ship is named after Chennai, this visit is even more special,” he added. 

For Nikhil Viswanath, a student from PS Senior Secondary School in Mylapore, it was a chance to observe the warship as well as the way the navy worked. “My friends and I have been fascinated by the navy and seeing the warship at close has inspired us to join the navy in the future,” concluded the 16-year-old student from the city.