A Gesture of Gratitude by School Children to the Navy

A Gesture of Gratitude by School Children to the Navy

Twenty students of classes IX and XI, accompanied by two teachers, of Rajagiri Public School, Kalamassery visited IN Ships Magar and Sunayna at Kochi on 24 January 2019 as a special gesture to the Navy. The students made a token presentation of sweets to personnel of the two ships to symbolise the gratitude of the society to the armed forces in general and the naval personnel who guard the maritime frontiers of the country in particular.

The children were welcomed onboard by Commanding Officers of INS Sunayna and INS Magar respectively. The naval fraternity graciously accepted the thoughtful gesture by the students and expressed their thankfulness at the honour bestowed upon them. The students were thereafter given a brief insight into the rich maritime history of India, which highlighted the evolution of the Indian Navy from a ‘Brown Water–Buyers Navy’ to a ‘Blue Water–Builders Navy,' and emphasised the importance of ‘Make in India’ and self-reliance. The Command structure of the Navy was also explained to the young students. Four stalls exhibiting Visit, board, search and seizure gear, small arms, Fire Fighting & Damage Control equipment and navigation equipment were set up on board Magar for the visitors.  The students were given an insight into the previous and present role of INS Magar as an amphibious ship and Sea Cadet training ship respectively.

The students were also taken for a tour of the ships. As a reciprocatory gesture, mementoes were presented to the school by the ships.

This was an initiative by the Interact Club of the School, which is celebrating its Silver Jubilee and is committed to undertake 25 activities to mark this momentous occasion.