The Indian Navy’s premier technical
training establishment, INS Shivaji, has received the original ‘Vir Chakra’
awarded to late Vice-Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury for his gallant actions during
the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
Vice-Admiral Dinesh Prabhakar, Distinguished
Chair-Marine Engineering, INS Shivaji, on Monday received the Vir Chakra from
Padipta Bose and Gargi Bose, the family members of Vice-Admiral Chowdhury, on
behalf of the Navy at a solemn ceremony organised at the training establishment
in Lonavala, around 60km from Pune city.
The Vir Chakra is an Indian wartime
military bravery award presented for acts of gallantry on the battlefield, on
land or in air or at sea.
“Vice-Admiral Chowdhury is the only
technical officer of the Navy who has been decorated with this prestigious
award,” said a release from the defence PRO’s office.
Vice-Admiral Chowdhury’s gallantry is
firmly rooted in the Indo-Pak war 52 years ago wherein he was the Engineer
Officer onboard erstwhile INS Vikrant, it said.
“During the aircraft carrier’s
deployment amidst the war, one of the boilers of INS Vikrant was rendered
non-operational, while the performance of the other three boilers were observed
to be sub-optimal. He along with his team undertook several innovative repairs
at sea away from the base port without seeking any possible assistance from the
British OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers),” said the release.
The in-house actions involved fixing of
steel bands around the boiler, adjustment of safety valves involving greater
risks and numerous other technical measures.
“The tasks not only required technical
expertise but also supreme leadership qualities to convince his men to do the
job full of risk. His contributions during the war were pivotal in every way.
Admiral SM Nanda, the then-Chief of Naval Staff, bestowed upon him the title of
‘An Engineer Par Excellence’,” said the release.
Vice-Admiral Chowdhury’s bravery,
patriotism and dedicated service is a testimony to various significant
achievements earning him the Vir Chakra for his gallant actions in the 1971
war, it added.
PTI
