| In mid May 2003, Sri Lanka suffered one of the island's worst instances of flooding, caused by unseasonal, torrential rains that lashed the southern and central parts of the country. The districts of Ratnapura, Matara, Kalutara and Hambantota were particularly badly affected by the prevailing floods, stranding an estimated fifteen thousand people and causing widespread damage to property. The limited resources available to the Government of Sri Lanka were dwarfed by the sheer magnitude of the problem and, on the 18th of May 2003, the Government made an appeal for assistance to the international community in general and to India in particular. The immediate requirement was for the supply of a number of inflatable craft (generically known as "GEMINIS", which are powered by outboard motors), and blankets.
The government of India readily agreed to afford whatever support was necessary and turned to the Indian armed forces to provide the human and material wherewithal that was needed. The Integrated Defence Headquarters rapidly put together a consolidated and well-coordinated plan (codenamed "OPERATION DENIM") and tasked the individual armed forces accordingly. Mindful of the much larger reaction times necessary to get the large IL-76 transport aircraft to lift the required men and material drawn from the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, reacted with characteristic alacrity and immediately ordered one of its Offshore Patrol Vessels the 1200-tonne warship, INS Sharda, which was under the command of Commander Shyam Kumar, to the scene of action. Recognising that speed of reaction was of the essence, the warship sailed within four hours of the information having been received. In this incredibly short space of time, as many as nine Geminis, along with their outboard motors, thirty-three specialist naval divers, three medical teams along with a large quantity of medical stores and equipment, a Chetak helicopter (complete with its maintenance and support crew and equipment) especially configured for search and rescue missions by night and day, and, a large quantity of drinking-water sachets, bottled water, and polythene-packed food sachets were embarked. The warship sped swiftly to Galle harbour and, by 9 p.m. on the 19th, the Indian navy was in action, albeit in its most humane avatar! It is this ability to undertake any mission, anywhere, and the demonstrated versatility in being able to provide either humanitarian support, or destructive firepower, all within a very short space of time, that characterises warships, and the Navy as a mature and experienced fighting service, the Indian Navy is very accomplished in exploiting such characteristics.
At Galle, the ship, whose physical presence quite so soon after the initial request had been made was widely appreciated by one and all, was warmly greeted and enthusiastically welcomed. Amongst the dignitaries who gratefully received the warship were the Governor of Southern Province, His Excellency, Kingsley T Wikeramaratne and the Commander, Southern Naval Area, Sri Lanka, Commodore Sriwardhanei of the Sri Lankan Navy. Also at hand to receive INS Sharda, and doing our country proud, was the Indian Defence Advisor, Colombo, Captain Madhu Gopinath, Indian Navy. That the ship's arrival was keenly awaited and was very welcome, was evident in the extensiveTV and press coverage that the visit received from the local, national, and international media - both print and electronic.
Without further ado, the ship disembarked her relief supplies and handed them over to the waiting Sri Lankan authorities who sped them off to the flood-stricken populace. The ship's personnel also fanned out and set-up relief-camps at the worst affected areas of Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, and Kalutara (map).
Not content to simply run a static show, and displaying the characteristics of speedy action and steely resolve that have become the hallmarks of the Indian Navy, the ship's teams went out into the hinterland and reached out to the poor and the afflicted amongst the local populace. The noise of an approaching outboard motor became one of the most anxiously awaited sounds as the naval personnel brought food and succour to many hundreds of Sri Lankans, treated them for injuries and ailments, and lent that invaluable healing touch that is born out of a deep sense of empathy for the sufferings of fellow human beings.
Over the next eight days and nights, the Indian naval teams worked tirelessly and without a break, unmindful of their own fatigue and with complete disregard for their own ease or comfort. As the waters mercifully receded, the people exchanged notes and stories and always, the Indian navy's presence was a common thread that bound them. The local populace came out individually and collectively.... to touch the arm of an Indian sailor in gratitude, to tousle another's hair and bestow a benediction, to bless India and her Navy. What greater reward could be asked for?
Eventually, her work done with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of effectiveness, INS Sharda was de-inducted on the 26 th of May, 2003. The ship was accorded a grand farewell. The minister of public administration the hon'ble Mr Wajira Abhaywardane, the minister of Public Administration, the Hon'ble Mr Ravindra Samaraweera, senior officers from the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sri Lanka police, were joined by twenty local and foreign journalists and a number of distinguished representatives of the electronic media, to thank the government of India, the Indian Navy, and the valiant ship's company of INS Sharda, and to bid the ship god speed as she headed homewards. Feelings aboard were a mixture of pride and humility, but most of all, of quiet satisfaction for a job well done.
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