School kids visit Indian Navy ship that engaged in Yemen operation

The ship visit was organised as a part of the 72nd Independence Day celebrations, during which the rich operational history of the vessel was explained to the eager students. 

INS Sumitra, docked at the city port, had undertaken anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, working in tandem with major navies of the world to ensure safe passage for merchant vessels. 

INS Sumitra was deployed to Yemen in 2015 to orchestrate Operation Rahat, undertaking five evacuation missions during the unrest in the country and rescuing 1,621 civilians from the wartorn zone. 

Last year, the ship rescued 33 fishermen from Bangladesh, 100 miles south of Chittagong under inclement weather conditions after cyclone Mora. The ship also holds a special distinction of being the Presidential Yacht during the International Fleet Review (IFR) at Visakhapatnam in February 2016. 

Impressed at the history of the ship, the children were further inspired by the screening of a documentary on the Indian Navy. 

Many children questioned the officers on the roles and capacities of the ships and various ways to join the service. 

Commanding Officer Commander Rajesh Rana spoke to the children on the technological advancements made by Indian Navy over the years, and how the youngsters can enhance it further in the future.