HIT FIRST:
IT IS THE DRONACHARYA WAY OF DEFENCE
Hit first
before the enemy could act is the best way to prevent any
external attacks. No doubt, INS Dronacharya, the prestigious training
establishment of the Indian Navy also imparts training to sailors
and officers with the same motto- hit first. During its
silver jubilee year also the motto of this ISO 9001-certified
training establishment is still relevant. This premier gunnery
training establishment, which completeD 25 years on November 27,
2003, has its own place in the defence training map of India.
It trains more than 2000 defence personnel annually. Located at
Fort Cochin near the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command,
INS Dronacharya trains not only Indian sailors but also their
counterparts from friendly foreign navies. It holds the credit
of training officers and sailors from over 20 countries.
This institute named
after Guru Dronacharya, a wise preceptor, who instructed the great
warriors of Mahabharat in the art of warfare, was commissioned
on November 27, 1978. The institute, which functions with the
motto Hit first, is an excellent example for our indigenisation
efforts in defence training. The commissioning of INS Dronacharya
was a result of the need for gunnery training for the naval personnel
after the country’s partition. Members of the then Royal Indian
Navy were trained at the Gunnery School at Manora Island near
Karachi in what came to be known as Pakistan. There was no gunnery
training for one year after India’s Independence. Thereafter,
the training for junior ranks was restarted on October 12, 1948
at the present Naval Base parade ground, Cochin. The senior classes
of naval personnel were sent to the United Kingdom. The institution
was able to impart training for second rates, first rates, gunnery
instructors, sub-lieutenants and trainees of long gunnery courses
by 1958.
The practical classes
including tracking and firing were held at the Naval Coastal Battery,
Fort Kochi. To impart quality training, the Gunnery School was
shifted to Fort Kochi. In order to make available adequate space
and resources for the shift of the Gunnery School to Fort Kochi,
it became necessary to amalgamate the Gunnery School, Naval Coastal
Battery and the Naval Coast Wing School into one integrated unit.
It was expanded into an establishment and called INS Venduruthy
II on March 9, 1978. On November 27, 1978 it became a full-fledged
naval establishment and was commissioned as INS Dronacharya. This
establishment is ready to ‘hit first’ and having a fearsome look
from the seaward side with its gun placement and radars capable
of detecting and destroying any incoming strikes.
The biggest advantage
of INS Dronacharya is its geographical position. As it is situated
on the beachfront at Cochin on the West Coast of India, the trainees
used to get a clear picture of the emergencies they had to face
in difficult times. The south-west monsoon is active here during
June- September with an annual rainfall of 310 centimetres. This
also provides training opportunities under difficult climatic
conditions. There is a range for conducting small arms firings.
A Maritime Education Centre was also opened in 2001. Later, museum
started functioning depicting the maritime heritage of Kerala
and of the Indian Navy. The museum is housed in a generator room
at Fort Kochi which is of the second world war vintage.
This institute trains
both officers and sailors of the navy through its short and long-term
courses. The professional training to officers of the Executive
Branch on the long gunnery specialization course and Sub-Lieutenant
Technical courses is being conducted there.
INS Dronacharya has
received many honours since its commissioning. But the selection
of this institute as the test site for the naval version of the
Trishul missile system is considered as the most important recognition
earned by INS Dronacharya. It was a real tribute to the muscles
and might of Dronacharya, the legendary warrior. Another landmark
in the history of INS Dronacharya was February 16, 1999 when it
was awarded ISO 9001 certification in recognition of the high
standards of training imparted there. The on-going training programmes
conducted at INS Dronacharya for the officers and sailors of foreign
navies is the real recognition for its standard. Officers and
sailors from Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Myanmar, the Philippines, Malaysia,
Singapore, Kenya, Sudan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Oman, Ghana, Thailand,
Indonesia, Nigeria, Maldives, Iran, UAE, Tanzania, Seychelles,
Vietnam and Cambodia participated in various training programmes
conducted there. The curricula for training courses are revised
regularly in keeping with the changing technologies and contemporary
needs. INS Dronacharya trains the professionals in obstacle course,
unarmed combat, adventure activities and watermanship.
Other than the naval
personnel, officers and sailors of the Coast Guard and other civilian
personnel manning guns, missiles, air defence, weapon maintenance
and land fighting are also trained at INS Dronacharya with the
help of ultra-modern gadgets. Computerized instruction packages,
video films and simulators are used for this purpose. INS Dronacharya
is an asset to the defence forces. No doubt, the defence personnel
trained there can hit first against any external attacks.
(PIB Features)
*Inputs
from M. Smithy, Information Assistant, PIB, Cochin
