A navy can’t be away from water, and hence Ezhimala, by the backwaters and the Arabian Sea in Kannur district of Kerala, is a fine spot to train cadets for India’s seafaring force. The village, a flourishing seaport of yore cradled against the Western Ghats, is now home to the Indian Naval Academy.
The 2,538-acre campus is a mini-India, with young men and women from all over the country training hard to wear the officer’s whites. The day begins at 5.30 a.m. at Asia largest naval academy, the cadets put through their paces under a meticulous plan by way of the “daily order”, which lists out the routine they have to follow.
Lieutenant Juhi Kashyap from Varanasi, who had completed her training, is the first from her family to join the Navy. “It was while working as a probationary officer in the Bank of Baroda that I came across the Indian Navy advertisement. From credit and debit and accounting, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of a more adventurous life. The INA has given me a chance to be different and serve the nation,” she says. The campus is entwined with maritime history. Among the many historical sites there is Mount Dilli, which Vasco da Gama is said to have used as a heading beacon before turning south to reach Kappad in Kozhikode, located 80 km away, in 1498. A total of 1,100 cadets get trained in the academy a year.
(Shaju John is the Deputy Photo Editor of The Hindu )
The ocean beckons: The Indian Naval Academy melds with the surroundings of picturesque Ezhimala in Kannur district of Kerala. Cadets get prepped here to become officers who will protect the marine boundaries of the countries.
The final lap: After a year of training that moulds officers out of young men and women, cadets at the INA are ready for duty to the nation. Here they are practising for the passing-out parade.
Vaulting ever so high: Gruelling sessions of training hone the skills of the cadets.
The final step: Those who cross this line are ready to take up the responsibility of an officer in the Navy.
On her mark: Lieutenant Juhi Kashyap, who joined the Navy after her training, has broken the glass ceiling with her firing skills.
Wishes can be horses: It’s not just the helm that a naval officer should know to handle; he should be able to hold the harness as well. Cadet Arun Kumar jumps over the obstacles.
Sun and sea: A drill instructor with his charges.
The ice melts: Midshipmen interacting with their sailor-instructor during the farewell tea.
High-mast action: First-term cadets climbing the mast at the Admiral R.L. Pereira parade ground to cheer those passing out of the INA.
Like fish to water: Cadets training in swimming at the INA’s Mulla Aquatics Complex, named after Mahendra Nath Mulla, Captain of INS Khukri who was killed when his ship was sunk during the 1971 war.
Got the point?: An officer gives instruction to cadets.