VAGIR REINCARNATED
On the commissioning of the reincarnated INS Vagir on 23 Jan 2023, a number of stake holders walked tall, but the proudest man walking the Planet must be RAdm KR Raja Menon, the former Commissioning Commanding Officer of erstwhile INS Vagir, who at the time of its decommissioning had retrieved her pious Soul (Aatma) and handed it back to the present CO Cdr S Divakar retorting, “Go Vagir go, live up to your second Avatar, as you did in your previous.”
Cdr Vijay Vadhera,NM(G), President NFMC, Meena and I were privileged to attend the
commissioning ceremony of INS Vagir at the cruiser wharf of Naval Dockyard on
the morning of 23 Jan. The invite was fecilitated by LtCdr Arvind Singh,
Navigating Officer of INS Vaghsheer (incharge invites). The venue was decked up
elegantly and bore a festive look, with the new Submarine smiling alongside the
jetty, awaiting to be reborn and commissioned to join its family and contribute
its might to the Indian Navy. We were warmly welcomed by COMCOS and CO Desig
Vagir and escorted to our seating plans. The invitee guests were jubilant
during the meet and greet as some of them were shaking hands after ages, having
been together a few decades ago (Pics below). The rear enclosure was abuzz with
media personnel with their huge cameras. The Veterans and dignitaries to grace
the occasion were Adm VS Shekhawat our former CNS, VAdm IC Rao, VAdm N Prasad,
VAdm SV Bhokare, VAdm P Jaitley, RAdm A Kalaskar, RAdm DV Thukral, Cmde Bhim Uppal, LtGen HS Kahlon, GOC M&G
Area, LtCdr MS Grewal (commissioning
Sonar operator of old Vagir); former COs
and crew of previous Avatar. Meena went ahead to snap the distinguished
guests in her DSLR before announcement of the arrival of Chief Guest, our CNS, Admiral R
Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC.
The dignitaries on stage flanking the Chief Guest were
: Cdr S Divakar (CO Desig Vagir), VAdm
Narayan Prasad, AVSM, NM (Retd), CMD MDL, VAdm AB Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, FOCINC WEST and
RAdm KR Raja Menon, former Commissioning CO of erstwhile INS Vagir and VAdm Kiran Deshmukh, AVSM, VSM, CWP&A.
In the opening address the CMD brought out the efficiency of MDL in shaping the Submarine in record time since its inception and launch. RAdm Raja Menon in his impressive extempore delivery praised her in her previous Avtar, her service to the Nation and how he had retrieved its Aatma during her decommissioning and preserved it to be handed over to Cdr Divakar. CinC wished the new commission, glorious times ahead. On Chief Guest’s approval, Cdr S Divakar read the commissioning warrant and embarked the black beauty, for the Colours ceremony, after which the dignitaries embarked the submarine and CNS unveiled the S/M commissioning plaque. The commissioning ceremony not only entitles a ship/Submarine to fly the prestigious White ensign and the Tricolour, but also recognizes her as a legitimate and sovereign representative of our Nation. Festivities followed as the dignitaries disembarked to be engulfed by the media and Press for a the Press/TV interview. The meet and greet continued with photo sessions and congratulatory handshakes to the CO and the commissioning crew.
This was followed by elaborate High Tea in the VIP
Shamiyana. A goodie bag was handed over to all guests with a smile by the
Submarine crew.
Commissioning Cocktails were served in IMSC later in
the evening, where a huge Cake was awaiting to be sliced on stage by the
dignitaries. After the Cake cutting the CinC addressed the gathering. LtGen
Kahlon, wished INS Vagir with glorious times and presented a cheque of Rs
50,000/ for Ships Welfare Fund. The meet and greet continued with assorted
drinks and a delectable multicuisine Dinner served at a number of counters. One
entire counter was dedicated for mouthwatering saccharin dessert delicacies (Pics
below)
VAGIR INCEPTION AND ITS ROLE
INS Vagir is the 5th Submarine of the
kalveri class, built by MDL with technology transfer from M/S Naval Group,
France.
The inception was initiated with steel cutting that
began in Mar 2018, Built in 4 modular sections that were joined in 2018. Two
years later it was launched on 12 Nov 2020 and undertook her first Sea Sortie
on 01 Feb 2022. In record 8 months She was able to execute its Sea with 70 days
at sea and clocked 850 dived hours efficiently. Having performed its Max
operating dive, completion of crew qualifications, conduct of Sonar SATs and
Weapons firing, in a short span of 8 months (least in her class), She was delivered
to the Indian Navy on 20 Dec 2022 and decked up for commissioning on 23 Jan 2023.
The Crest of the Submarine depicts a Sand Shark that
represents Stealth and Fearlessness. The motto “Saahas Shaurya Samarpan”
epitomizes core values of Courage, Valour and Dedication. The Ship’s company
imbibes the spirit behind the motto and
promises to keep the edge ‘sharp and ready’ at all times.
Vagir is fitted with some of the best sensors in the
world, to boost India’s capability to safe guard her maritime interests. Her
weapon package of sufficient wire guided Torpedoes and Sub-surface to Surface Missiles
can neutralize a large enemy fleet. She has capability to launch marine
commandoes for special ops behind enemy line. For self defence she has a state
of the art torpedo decoy system.
THE PREVIOUS AVATAR
The erstwhile INS Vagir (S-41), 4th Foxtrot
class Sub was commissioned by then LtCdr K Raja Menon on 03 Nov 1973 at Riga,
USSR. She sailed independently to Vizag for 80 days sans an escort, to join the
8th Submarine squadron of ENC. INS Vagir safe guarded the National
interest on both Eastern and Western Seaboard for 3 decades. She carried out
OSD to Colombo in Dec 1977, Port Victoria in Nov 1985 and was deployed at Sea
during Kargil conflict in 1999. After
a dedicated service for 28 years She was decommissioned on 07 Jan 2001.
RADM K RAJA MENON (VAGIR ‘S-41’)
The Senior Veteran is a Submarine Specialist and has
had the unique distinction of commanding 7 Ships and Submarines including the
privilege of being the commissioning Commanding Officer of erstwhile INS Vagir.
He retired as ACNS(Ops) in 1994. His keen analytic mind continued making
contributions to Indian Defence and Security. He’s authored a number of books
on Maritime Strategy and Diplomacy. Currently he is the Chairman of the Task
Force on Net Assessment and simulation in National Security Council. He has
participated in military CBM talks with
neighbouring countries. He headed the study on Pak Ballistic missiles and their
effect on Indian National Security. The Admiral is married to Mrs Anjolie Ela
Menon, India’s leading contemporary artist.
CDR S DIVAKAR (VAGIR ‘S-25’)
Cdr S Divakar,
commissioned on 01 Jul 2008, is an Alumnus of NDA, DSCS College, Dhaka. He has
the unique distinction of standing First in overall Order of Merit in Basic Sub
Course, PCO course and Commanding Officer Qualifying Course.
The Officer joined
the Submarine Arm in 2009 and has served as specialist ASWO onboard INS
Shankul, where he was awarded FOCinC West Commendation. He later served on INS
Shalki, where he earned CNS Commendation. He had been XO onboard Shalki and
Shankul. He took over as CO Desig Vagir and commissioned it successfully on 23
Jan 2023 with a crew of 10 Officers and 37 Sailors.
Here’s wishing INS
Vagir Happy Sailing in its glorious service to our Nation.
Sam No Varunah
Jai Hind
(PS - Kindly double click the video below to play and finger zoom for your comfort viewing. Video/Snaps from the lens of Meena Dutta.)
VIDEOS
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KINDLY DOUBLE CLICK THE LINK BELOW
FOR COMMISSIONING VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khb13gqA760&t=89s&ab_channel=MeenaDutta
KINDLY DOUBLE CLICK THE LINK BELOW
FOR RECEPTION VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra15-AaXlDw&t=54s&ab_channel=MeenaDutta
SNAPS
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