It was the month of July 1990 when we reached at INS Chilka where we were to spend next 06 months undergoing the basic training meant for naval sailors. I still remember it was the night of 01 July when 04 of us arrived at the Chilka railway station and from there we were given a ride in the Navy bus so it was our first introduction with this great service. Ride itself was a morale booster as never before we rode in any of the service vehicle and there grew a sense of being important and belongingness (which was to be shattered in times to come). We were taken to the guard room and after making certain entries we were guided to the first available living block (it was the Angre division where we spent our first night at Chilka). There we were told to keep our belongings in a big room (dormitory) and told to have dinner. Some of the relegated MERs had assumed the role of our guide and and mentors for that night (which proved costly to one of my friend from Meerut later left service as a Marine Commando). We were taken to the dining hall it was quite big very brightly lit but empty, we were served with some Dal, rice and bread and something which I had never tasted before and never seen before (later it was discovered that we were served with a mixture of Jam and butter). It was good after we had our dinner it was now the time of our seniors on whose mercy we were left for the night. One of them was from Haryana he came and enquired about what are the items we are having with us and innocently my friend from Meerut Dharmender declared the presence of Besan Laddus in his luggage. The seniors told us to remove those laddus and it was told that all of your belongings would be deposited in the Kit store for next 06 months and you will not be able to use anything from next morning onwards. Now it was a big question what to do with the tasty laddus made from the Desi ghee of Meerut. It was then decided that whatever we could eat we eat the remaining provision to be handed over to the seniors for they better knew what to do with such things. With a great heaviness in our hearts we had to part away with the delicious laddus. Next morning was the time of Kitting up and we were issued with every conceivable item right from the safety pins to the articles of clothing. With that kitting up our association with our luggage and civil cloths was severed for another six months.
We were not aware of the pattern of the Naval training. I had some previous knowledge about Indian Army as some of my relatives were in Army and I myself have been an Army NCC cadet, undergone 02 training camp one was with regular Army at BEG Group and Centre at Roorkee. It was fun to be at camps so that was the thought with Naval training. We were hopeful of undergoing the training together as 04 of us got recruited from the same place and 03 others were befriended on the way to Chilka. But fate has something else in the store for all of us. It was now the turn of allotting the Division and personal number to newly joined recruits. I was allotted the number 759 and a different division as was the case with all of us. We were given our separate divisional colours to put on and that was the last day we were together other than the occasional meeting in the Wet canteen. We all were separated and allotted the different-different divisions to stay and undergo the training. Unlike where you have the chance of remaining together till the retirement as they have regimental system. But I think it was good also as we all made so many new friends during the course of those 06 months. I was allotted the Azad division named after the legendary freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad and were allotted the saffron divisional colour to put on. Each division was headed by an Officer of the rank of Lt Cdr followed by divisional Chief, Div PO and RPO. We were divided into three classes based on the proficiency in the swimming test. I learned the swimming in my village small canal thanks to the weekly visits to this canal alongwith our herd of buffaloes for they were quite fond of taking bath into the canal for hours together and also the fighting among themselves. It was fun to be with them as they also were very happy to remain outdoors for hours together. I was allotted the class of swimmers and given the place at ground floor to stay. Each divisional building was a three story-ed building constructed tastefully better than the Army barracks. Each trainee was given a cot to sleep and a locker to keep their belongings.
We were not aware of the pattern of the Naval training. I had some previous knowledge about Indian Army as some of my relatives were in Army and I myself have been an Army NCC cadet, undergone 02 training camp one was with regular Army at BEG Group and Centre at Roorkee. It was fun to be at camps so that was the thought with Naval training. We were hopeful of undergoing the training together as 04 of us got recruited from the same place and 03 others were befriended on the way to Chilka. But fate has something else in the store for all of us. It was now the turn of allotting the Division and personal number to newly joined recruits. I was allotted the number 759 and a different division as was the case with all of us. We were given our separate divisional colours to put on and that was the last day we were together other than the occasional meeting in the Wet canteen. We all were separated and allotted the different-different divisions to stay and undergo the training. Unlike where you have the chance of remaining together till the retirement as they have regimental system. But I think it was good also as we all made so many new friends during the course of those 06 months. I was allotted the Azad division named after the legendary freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad and were allotted the saffron divisional colour to put on. Each division was headed by an Officer of the rank of Lt Cdr followed by divisional Chief, Div PO and RPO. We were divided into three classes based on the proficiency in the swimming test. I learned the swimming in my village small canal thanks to the weekly visits to this canal alongwith our herd of buffaloes for they were quite fond of taking bath into the canal for hours together and also the fighting among themselves. It was fun to be with them as they also were very happy to remain outdoors for hours together. I was allotted the class of swimmers and given the place at ground floor to stay. Each divisional building was a three story-ed building constructed tastefully better than the Army barracks. Each trainee was given a cot to sleep and a locker to keep their belongings.
