Inside look at Asia’s largest Naval Academy, the cradle of India’s future naval leadership
Mount Dilli overlooking the beach
The campus is located 35km north of Kerala’s Kannur and 120km south of Karnataka’s Mangalore, on the West coast of Peninsular India. There’s a great deal of history attached to Ezhimala, where the campus is situated. Mount Dilli, a towering hill overlooking the coast, was used as a heading beacon by European explorer Vasco Da Gama. From there, he is said to have turned southwards and headed for Calicut(Kozhikode), Kerala. Gama is said to be the first European explorer to have reach India via the sea route.
Navy academy parade
Established in 2009, the INA was meant to meet the training needs of a fast-growing Indian Navy. To protect India’s Maritime interests, the Navy operates on land, at sea, underwater and even soars to the skies.
Home to nearly 1200 cadets
Nearly 1200 cadets live at INA, which is supervised by 180 naval commanders and 300 sailors.A Commandant is in charge of the most important defence institution.
Rajdeep, an instructor at the INA’s Mulla Aquatic Complex
At the time of joining the INA, many cadets are non-swimmers. However, in a matter of 6 months they are completely transformed. Aided by a set of professional instructors, they are confident enough to swim, jump and dive, at the competition of six months of training. By the time they complete their 4-year course, they can swim over 1.5kms, while clad in their Navy uniforms. INA’s Mulla Aquatics complex consists of an Olympic-sized, eight-lane pool, besides a diving poll. The complex is named after Captain MN Mulla, the Commanding Officer of INS Khukri. The captain went down along with the ship that sunk in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
Air Rifle and Pistol Club (Indoor Firing Range)
The best shooters at INA are further trained for competitive events, at the Air Rifle and Pistol Club(ARPC), which is an indoor facility. As the name suggests, cadets fire Air Rifles and Pistols at a target that is 10meters away. From the weapons used to the targeting systems, everything at the ARPC is designed and made to International Standards. It offers 15 firing lanes for the shooters.
Marakkar Watermanship Training Center, at the Kavvayi backwaters
To operate and navigate and ship, you’ve got to start form the smallest of boats in calm waters.The Marakkar Watermanship Training Center does exactly that - to broaden the trainee’s ocean awareness and safety.
Situated in the scenic Kavvayi backwaters, it is India’s largest Watermanship training facility. It is named in honour of the legendary Kunjai Marakkars who restrained Portuguese designs to establish trade monopoly along India’s west coast, in the 16th Century. Offering over 200 boats of various types and builds, the cadets perform sporting activities such as rowing and sailing, besides powerboat handling.
Cadets at the Bridge Simulator
The best experience of Navigation, Guidance and Communication can be gained only by serving on-board a ship’s bridge. However, the nest best experience is guaranteed on a ship bridge simulator. The made-in-India simulator used at INA combines 7 displays and offers a 240degree view that enables cadets to train in simulated sailing conditions. They get to practice sailing into and out of all major ports in India, with simulations of day and night and all weather conditions
Panini Library at the Indian Naval Academy
Physical training is an important component at the INA. However, equal emphasis is placed on the academic curriculum, as the Navy wants to nurture young men and women who are not only flighting-fit, but also academically qualified and intellectually sharp. INA’s Panini library is home to nearly 1.35 lakh books from across genres. The cadets also are allowed to read a wide range of magazines and periodicals, newspapers to broaden their knowledge.
An indoor physical training arena at the INA
Cadets at the INA go through a grueling physical training routine. Besides the running and exercises, they are also encouraged to play indoor and outdoor sports. The INA campus has facilities for almost every sport - football, basketball, equestrian, golf, badminton, athletics, shooting etc. Cadets perform physical exercises such as pushups, pull-ups, rope climbing and other activities, besides playing indoor sports at Indoor PT Arenas
INA’s Katari Cadet’s Mess
The Cadets mess at the INA is a fully operational dining center that caters to more than 1200 cadets. It is not only a place where hunger is appeased and the best nutrition is provided, this is a place where Cadets learn dining etiquette. The dining hall is named as the Katari Cadet’s Mess, after the great Vice Admiral Ram Das Katari – the first Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy.
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